- Researchers from Canada found that three anti-fatigue medications may be effective
- Solriamfetol, brand name SUNOSI, appeared to make the biggest difference
- READ MORE: One in five Americans has a potentially fatal sleep disorder
Scientists have discovered a drug that combats daytime sleepiness better than an espresso.
Researchers from Canada found that three anti-fatigue medications can be effective in reducing daytime sleepiness.
They reviewed previous studies of the medication in people with obstructive sleep apnea who were already using another therapy, such as a positive airway pressure (PAP) mask.
Sleep apnea is a common sleep-related condition in which breathing stops and starts again during the night, putting the body at risk of dangerously depriving it of essential oxygen. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type.
Scientists have discovered a drug that combats daytime sleepiness better than an espresso
Researchers reviewed 14 previous clinical trials involving a total of 3,085 participants with obstructive sleep apnea and associated excessive daytime sleepiness.
They compared the effectiveness of three medications against fatigue: solriamfetol, armodafinil-modafinil and pitolisant.
All three were found to be more effective than a placebo drug at combating patients’ fatigue, with solriamfetol having the greatest impact.
Participants’ fatigue was measured using self-reported questionnaires and a test called the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), which measures how alert a person is during the day.
It involves a person trying to stay awake while in a dimly lit room, wearing sensors to measure their vital signs.
Armodafinil-modafinil and pitolisant were found to ‘likely improve’ wakefulness after a month of use.
The researchers noted that side effects of the drugs can be a problem for users.
For example, solriamfetol has been associated with an increase in blood pressure.
The research was published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
According to the makers of the drug solriamfetol, brand name SUNOSI, it improved wakefulness for up to nine hours. With caffeine, people will likely stop feeling the effects after four to six hours.