Narcolepsy and cataplexy
Most of us sometimes feel tired and sleepy during the day. But even when we feel this way we usually manage to overcome those feelings and carry out our usual activities, although perhaps a bit less efficiently than usual.
People with narcolepsy are different. They will often feel excessively tired and sleepy during the day and suddenly fall fast asleep for periods of 15-20 minutes. In addition, they may be unfortunate enough to have cataplexy — sudden loss of strength in the muscles that can cause the person to fall to the ground — or sleep paralysis, in which there is a frightening feeling of being unable to move during the period of falling asleep or waking up. They may also experience hallucinations on falling asleep and waking.
Narcolepsy affects young people, usually starting in the teens or early twenties.
Treatments for narcolepsy and cataplexy
Doctors are not certain what causes narcolepsy, but it seems to respond to medicines that promote wakefulness or stimulate the brain and nervous system. Certain antidepressant medicines may also be helpful in treating cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hallucinations when present in people with narcolepsy.
Last Reviewed: 23 November 2009
- 1. Idiopathic hypersomnolence and narcolepsy [revised October 2008]. In: eTG complete [Internet]. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; 2009 Nov. (Accessed 2009 Nov 27.)
2. Modavigil Prescribing Information. CSL. Accessed via eMIMS. Date of TGA approved information: 20/02/2009
