Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
04:34
Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Shugan Jieyu Capsules for the Treatment of Insomnia
Published on: February 17, 2023
Modafinil for narcolepsy: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Dominik Golicki1, Malgorzata M Bala, Maciej Niewada
1Department of Pharmacoeconomics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. dominik.golicki@wum.edu.pl
Summary
Modafinil effectively treats excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy patients compared to placebo. However, it does not improve cataplexy and may cause nausea.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness.
- Treatment options for narcolepsy aim to manage symptoms like sleepiness and cataplexy.
- Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent used in narcolepsy treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of modafinil versus placebo or other treatments for narcolepsy.
- To assess modafinil's impact on excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy.
- To compare modafinil's effects on quality of life and adverse events.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library) up to January 2009.
- Included 9 RCTs with a total of 1,054 narcolepsy patients.
Main Results:
- Modafinil significantly reduced excessive daytime sleepiness compared to placebo, as measured by the ESS scale, MSLT, and MWT.
- Modafinil improved quality of life (SF-36) but was associated with increased nausea.
- No significant difference was observed between modafinil and placebo for cataplexy attacks; modafinil showed similar efficacy to sodium oxybate for sleepiness with less nausea.
Conclusions:
- Modafinil is effective for treating excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy.
- Modafinil does not appear to be effective for managing cataplexy in narcolepsy patients.
- Modafinil offers a viable treatment option for narcolepsy symptoms, with a manageable side effect profile.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
01:24Sleep-Wake Cycles
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
01:19Management of Insomnia
The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
01:17Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
01:23Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...