Help for Daytime Sleepiness

Narcolepsy is a common cause of feeling sleepy during the day. This condition most commonly begins during the teenage and young adult years; however, it can begin younger or in later years. Memory loss of the few minutes prior to falling asleep during the day can occur. Hallucinations can occur while falling asleep, and for several minutes after waking. Persons with narcolepsy may not be able to move during this time. Episodes of muscle weakness lasting several minutes can also occur in response to strong emotions, such as excitement or anger. Narcolepsy may be caused by genetics, an infection, or it may be related to low levels of chemicals in the brain that are needed to regulate sleep cycles.

Medications may be necessary to improve alertness during the day. Modafinil (Provigil) is a medication that works to stimulate increased mental alertness. Methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) stimulates the central nervous system (CNS) to improve daytime wakefulness. Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methamphetamine (Desoxyn) also stimulate the CNS.  These medications can also help with the temporary paralysis and muscle weakness that can occur. Antidepressant medications, such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and fluoxetine (Prozac) may be prescribed to help with episodes of muscle weakness.