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Armodafinil for excessive daytime sleepiness.

Seiji Nishino¹, Masashi Okuro

¹Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Narcolepsy, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304-5489, USA. nishino@stanford.edu

Drugs of Today (Barcelona, Spain : 1998)

|July 4, 2008

Summary

Armodafinil, a wake-promoting agent, offers longer-lasting effects than modafinil for treating excessive sleepiness. Its safety profile is comparable, making it a potentially preferred option for patients needing sustained wakefulness.

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Area of Science:

Pharmacology
Sleep Medicine
Neurology

Background:

Armodafinil is the (R)-enantiomer of modafinil, a wake-promoting agent.
It possesses a longer half-life (10-15 hours) compared to racemic modafinil.
Approved in 2007, it shares indications with modafinil for excessive sleepiness.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of armodafinil for excessive sleepiness.
To compare wake promotion effects with modafinil.
To assess patient preference and compliance.

Main Methods:

Clinical trials were conducted in patients with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and shift work disorder.
Efficacy was measured by sustained wakefulness and comparison to modafinil doses.
Safety and tolerability were assessed throughout the trials.

Main Results:

Armodafinil demonstrated enhanced efficacy in promoting wakefulness, sustaining it for longer periods.
Lower doses of armodafinil were effective compared to modafinil.
The safety profile was consistent with modafinil and well-tolerated by patients.

Conclusions:

Armodafinil is an effective treatment for excessive sleepiness with improved duration of action.
Its longer half-life may lead to better patient compliance and preference.
It represents a valuable therapeutic option alongside modafinil, despite potential market competition.