Medications for narcolepsy are used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness. They work by stimulating the brain to help you stay awake and alert. Common classes include stimulants and wakefulness-promoting agents. Stimulants like Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) and methylphenidate (Ritalin, Methylin) are usually taken as oral pills. Wakefulness-promoting agents, such as modafinil (Provigil) and armodafinil (Nuvigil), are also taken as oral pills. Central nervous system depressants, such as Xywav (mixed oxybates) and Xyrem (sodium oxybate), provide another way to treat narcolepsy. These medications are taken at night to improve night-time sleep, which may improve daytime drowsiness.
