Licence for modafinil extended to help people with sleep problems triggered by shift-work
Provigil (modafinil) has had its UK licence extended, which will help patients who struggle with having to work anti-social hours or who suffer from excessive sleepiness as a result of a chronic medical condition.
Provigil, previously indicated for daytime sleepiness associated with
narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, may now also be prescribed
for the treatment of excessive sleepiness associated with other chronic
pathological conditions, and moderate to severe chronic shift work sleep
disorder (see Notice-board p443).
John Shneerson, director of the respiratory support and sleep centre,
Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, said: “Whatever the cause, patients
are often expected to put up with excessive sleepiness, yet this can
be profoundly disabling. It can not only restrict everyday activities,
but can lead to poor performance at work, the breakdown of relationships
and even fatal accidents.”
Dr Shneerson added: “Recent research has indicated that Provigil
is equally effective in relieving excessive sleepiness in a range of
long-term medical disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple
sclerosis and myotonic dystrophy, in addition to its previous indication
for narcolepsy and sleep apnoeas.”
He said that the reason for the wide application of Provigil is that
it works directly on sleep-regulating systems in the hypothalamus. “Unlike
previously used drugs, such as amphetamines, it is a selective wakefulness-promoting
drug, and not a generalised stimulant,” he said. “Data show
that this drug has very little effect on mood or euphoria and that it
has a very low potential for dependency. In addition, its licence is
for specific medical indications and it is only available on prescription,
so the chances of it being misused are low,” he added.
Provigil was launched by Cephalon in March 1998 for the treatment of
narcolepsy and its licence was extended in 2002 to include the treatment
of excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy and sleep
apnoeas. |
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