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Solriamfetol Titration & AdministRaTion (START) in Patients With Narcolepsy. Clin Ther 2022; 44:1356-1369. [PMID: 36171171 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Solriamfetol, a dopamine/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is approved (in the United States and European Union) to treat excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in adults with narcolepsy (75-150 mg/d) or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (37.5-150 mg/d). This study characterized real-world titration strategies for patients with narcolepsy (with or without comorbid OSA) initiating solriamfetol therapy. METHODS This virtual, descriptive study included a retrospective medical record review and qualitative survey. US-based physicians prescribing solriamfetol for EDS associated with narcolepsy or OSA participated. Data are reported for patients with narcolepsy with or without comorbid OSA (OSA alone reported separately). On the basis of medical record review, titration strategies were classified de novo (EDS medication naive), transition (switched or switching from existing EDS medication[s] to solriamfetol), or add-on (adding solriamfetol to current EDS medication[s]). The survey included open-ended questions regarding a hypothetical patient-a 32-year-old woman with narcolepsy (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score of 8) treated with 35 mg/d of amphetamine and 6 g per night of sodium oxybate who experiences non-use-limiting adverse events from amphetamine. FINDINGS Twenty-six physicians participated: 23 provided data from 70 patients with narcolepsy (type 1, n = 24; type 2, n = 46; mean [SD] age, 40 [11] years; 57% female; 6 with comorbid OSA), and 26 responded to the hypothetical patient scenario. From the medical record review, solriamfetol therapy initiation was de novo for 19 of 70 patients (27%), transition for 31 of 70 patients (44%), and add-on for 20 of 70 patients (29%). Efficacy profile of solriamfetol was the primary reason for de novo (12 of 19 [63%]), transition (18 of 31 [58%]), and add-on (19 of 20 [95%]) initiation. Most (86%) initiated use of solriamfetol at 75 mg/d and were stable at 150 mg/d (76%). Most (67%) had 1 dose adjustment, reaching a stable dose over a median (range) of 14 (1-60) days. Physicians most often considered EDS severity (44%) when titrating. Among transitioning patients, 14 of 22 (64%) using wake-promoting agents discontinued their use abruptly, and 5 of 9 (56%) using stimulants were tapered off. At data collection, 90% continued to take solriamfetol. Regarding the hypothetical patient scenario, most physicians (81%) thought solriamfetol was appropriate, highlighting tolerability issues with current treatment and lack of symptom control as drivers for switching; however, 3 physicians (12%) did not think solriamfetol was appropriate, noting current symptoms were not severe enough and/or symptoms could be managed by increasing sodium oxybate dose; 2 (8%) thought it would depend on other factors. Physicians emphasized managing withdrawal symptoms while maintaining EDS symptom control when titrating off a stimulant and starting solriamfetol therapy. IMPLICATIONS In a real-world study, physicians initiated solriamfetol therapy at 75 mg/d for most patients with narcolepsy, adjusted dosages once, tapered stimulants, and abruptly discontinued therapy with wake-promoting agents. (Clin Ther. 2022;XX:XXX-XXX) © 2022 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc.
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Pellitteri G, de Biase S, Valente M, Gigli GL. How treatable is narcolepsy with current pharmacotherapy and what does the future hold? Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:1517-1520. [PMID: 33882765 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1915987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Pellitteri
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy.,Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | | | - Mariarosaria Valente
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy.,Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Gigli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy.,Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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Vellieux G, Frija-Masson J, Rouvel-Tallec A, Drouot X, d'Ortho MP. Narcolepsy Type 1: A Remitting Disease? An Unusual Case Report. Nat Sci Sleep 2021; 13:1669-1673. [PMID: 34594143 PMCID: PMC8478422 DOI: 10.2147/nss.s311283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the case of a male patient who was diagnosed with narcolepsy type 1 on the basis of sleep and wake symptoms, and the results of investigations including video-polysomnography, multiple sleep latency test, human leukocyte antigen status and orexin level in cerebrospinal fluid. During the first years after disease onset, the patient did not show any significant improvement despite treatment with a variety of stimulant and anti-cataplectic drugs. However, spontaneous remission of disease occurred after 15 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffroy Vellieux
- Université de Paris, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Paris, F-75019, France.,Centre du sommeil, Service de Physiologie - Explorations Fonctionnelles, AP-HP, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, F-75018, France
| | - Justine Frija-Masson
- Université de Paris, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Paris, F-75019, France.,Centre du sommeil, Service de Physiologie - Explorations Fonctionnelles, AP-HP, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, F-75018, France
| | - Anny Rouvel-Tallec
- Université de Paris, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Paris, F-75019, France.,Centre du sommeil, Service de Physiologie - Explorations Fonctionnelles, AP-HP, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, F-75018, France
| | - Xavier Drouot
- Neurophysiologie Clinique et Explorations Fonctionnelles, CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Marie-Pia d'Ortho
- Université de Paris, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Paris, F-75019, France.,Centre du sommeil, Service de Physiologie - Explorations Fonctionnelles, AP-HP, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, F-75018, France
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Guevarra JT, Hiensch R, Varga AW, Rapoport DM. Pitolisant to Treat Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Cataplexy in Adults with Narcolepsy: Rationale and Clinical Utility. Nat Sci Sleep 2020; 12:709-719. [PMID: 33117007 PMCID: PMC7567539 DOI: 10.2147/nss.s264140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder marked by chronic, debilitating excessive daytime sleepiness and can be associated with cataplexy, sleep paralysis and sleep-related hallucinations. Pharmacological therapy for narcolepsy primarily aims to increase wakefulness and reduce cataplexy attacks. Pitolisant is a first-in-class agent utilizing histamine to improve wakefulness by acting as an antagonist/inverse agonist of the presynaptic histamine 3 receptor. This review summarizes the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of pitolisant in treating the symptoms of narcolepsy. Randomized and observational studies demonstrate pitolisant to be effective in treating both hypersomnolence and cataplexy while generally being well tolerated at prescribed doses. The most common adverse reactions include headache, insomnia and nausea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay T Guevarra
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029, USA
| | - Robert Hiensch
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029, USA
| | - Andrew W Varga
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029, USA
| | - David M Rapoport
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029, USA
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de Biase S, Pellitteri G, Gigli GL, Valente M. Evaluating pitolisant as a narcolepsy treatment option. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2020; 22:155-162. [PMID: 32941089 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2020.1817387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by a pentad of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations, and disturbed nocturnal sleep. Treatment of narcolepsy remains challenging and current therapy is strictly symptomatically based. AREAS COVERED The present manuscript is based on an extensive Internet and PubMed search from 1990 to 2020. It is focused on the clinical and pharmacological properties of pitolisant in the treatment of narcolepsy. EXPERT OPINION Currently there is no cure for narcolepsy. Although efforts have been made, current treatments do not always allow to obtain an optimal control of symptoms. Pitolisant is an antagonist/inverse agonist of the histamine H3 autoreceptor. Its mechanism of action is novel and distinctive compared to the other available therapies for narcolepsy. Clinical trials suggest that pitolisant administered at a dose of ≤36 mg/day is an effective treatment option for narcolepsy, reducing EDS and cataplexy. Pitolisant is available as oral tablets and offers a convenient once-daily regimen. Pitolisant is generally well tolerated and showed minimal abuse potential in animals and humans. Long-term studies comparing the effectiveness and tolerability of pitolisant with active drugs (e.g. modafinil, sodium oxybate) are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gaia Pellitteri
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Udine , Udine, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Gigli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Udine , Udine, Italy.,Department of Mathematics, Informatics and Physics (DMIF), University of Udine , Udine, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Valente
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Udine , Udine, Italy.,Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine , Udine, Italy
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Abstract
Pitolisant (Wakix®), an orally available, first-in-class antagonist/inverse agonist of the histamine 3 receptor, is approved in the EU (as of March 2016) for the treatment of narcolepsy with or without cataplexy in adults and in the USA (as of August 2019) for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in adults with narcolepsy. Pitolisant was demonstrated to have minimal risk of abuse in preclinical and clinical studies, and is the only anti-narcoleptic drug not scheduled as a controlled substance in the USA. The totality of evidence from pivotal and supportive phase III trials suggests that pitolisant administered at up to the recommended maximum dose of 36 mg once daily reduces EDS and cataplexy in adults with narcolepsy relative to placebo. Noninferiority of pitolisant to modafinil in the management of EDS was not demonstrated. Pitolisant was generally well tolerated in clinical trials. Consistent with its mechanism of action, the most common treatment-emergent adverse events included headache, insomnia and anxiety. With minimal abuse potential and offering the convenience of oral, once-daily administration, pitolisant extends the range of approved treatment options available to adult patients with narcolepsy with or without cataplexy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette N Lamb
- Springer Nature, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Central Hospital of Linyi City, Yishui, Shandong, China
| | - Junyi Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Central Hospital of Linyi City, Yishui, Shandong, China
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Pascoe M, Bena J, Foldvary-Schaefer N. Effects of Pharmacotherapy Treatment on Patient-Reported Outcomes in a Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia Cohort. J Clin Sleep Med 2019; 15:1799-1806. [PMID: 31855165 PMCID: PMC7099187 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.8088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the association between patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and treatment regimen/standardized dose (STD), a measure of drug burden, in patients with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1)/type 2 (NT2) and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH). METHODS Patients age 18 years or older with NT1/NT2 and IH with baseline and ≥ 6-month follow-up during 2008-2010 were included. Changes in PROs (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS], Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS], Patient Health Questionnaire 9 [PHQ-9], total sleep time [TST]) by diagnosis, treatment regimen (monotherapy versus polytherapy, sodium oxybate [SO] use), and STD were assessed by t tests and univariable/multivariable linear regressions, adjusting for patient characteristics. RESULTS A total of 92 patients (26 [28.3%] NT1, 27 [29.3%] NT2, 39 [42.4%] IH) were included (age 43.8 ± 14.8 years; 66 [71.7%] female). Baseline PROs suggested excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS 14.2 ± 5.2 [74% patients > 10]), significant fatigue (FSS 47.5 ± 12.9), and mild depression (PHQ-9 9.0 [4.0, 14.0] [49.4% ≥ 10]). At follow-up, ESS and PHQ-9 improved significantly overall and within diagnostic, monotherapy/polytherapy, and SO use groups (all P < .01). FSS improved significantly overall (P = .016), but improvements were not significant for IH, monotherapy, polytherapy, and non-SO using groups. In multivariable models, PRO changes were not significantly different between groups, but baseline STD was associated with worsening PHQ-9 across PHQ-9 change models, and ESS worsened with increasing STD at follow-up (P = .056). CONCLUSIONS Significant improvements in sleep-related PROs were seen with pharmacotherapy use, regardless of diagnosis or treatment type, highlighting the importance of individualized prescribing decisions for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maeve Pascoe
- Sleep Disorders Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - James Bena
- Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
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