Idiopathic Hypersomnia

Treatment

Treatment for idiopathic hypersomnia usually combines lifestyle modifications and medication.

Lifestyle Modifications

Lifestyle modifications to increase wakefulness and safety during the day include:

• Having a regular sleep schedule and sticking to it even on weekends
• Avoiding too little time in bed at night: It's not unusual for patients to think they may have narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia when the real problem is insufficient sleep time each night
• Avoiding alcohol and medications that may affect sleep
• Avoiding driving if drowsy: If patients with idiopathic hypersomnia must drive a long distance, they need to work with their treatment team to establish a medication schedule that ensures the greatest likelihood of wakefulness during the drive. Patients should not drive if their sleepiness is not well controlled.

Medication

The goal of medication is to maximize alertness while minimizing risk of potential side effects. Some drugs used to treat idiopathic hypersomnia are also used to treat narcolepsy. These include medications that stimulate the central nervous system such as:

• Modafinil (Provigil): A newer stimulant that isn't as addictive and doesn't produce the highs and lows often associated with older stimulants.
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• Various amphetamines: Although effective, they may cause side effects, such as nervousness and heart palpitations.

Patients need to be monitored over time to observe a medication's continued effectiveness and any side effects.