Does trazodone help with narcolepsy? (5+ tips)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will discuss whether trazodone helps with narcolepsy. Furthermore, we will talk about the research findings, dosage recommendations, approved treatment options for narcolepsy, and what to do if trazodone does not help your narcolepsy.
Does trazodone help with narcolepsy?
Trazodone may help with narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder in which patients may experience sleepiness during the daytime that can not be resisted. Patients may also have irregular muscle movements in this condition which is known as cataplexy.
Trazodone is an antidepressant that is approved by the FDA to treat major depressive disorder. However, it may also be used for other conditions such as anxiety, fibromyalgia, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (1).
Trazodone may start working to improve the symptoms of insomnia in the early phase of trazodone treatment, however, depression symptoms may take some time as it can not be treated overnight.
Trazodone works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and also blocks histamine and adrenergic receptors. Trazodone increases serotonin levels in the synaptic regions of the brain, and serotonin regulates mood, emotions, sleep, behaviours, sleep, and the body’s stress response (1,2).
What does research suggest about trazodone and narcolepsy?
According to a research study, a 25-year-old patient was using methylphenidate for narcolepsy and cataplexy. He was experiencing extreme sleepiness and sometimes his muscle control was also lost. His symptoms of narcolepsy got better, but he felt irritated and aggressive while using methylphenidate.
Researchers then tried giving trazodone to this patient, and his symptoms of narcolepsy and cataplexy improved a lot within two days of trazodone treatment (3). Another research study suggested that when trazodone was compared to trimipramine, another medicine for inducing sleep, trazodone gave better results.
It was observed that deep sleep was induced by trazodone only. The mechanism behind this effect is that trazodone affects certain receptors in the brain and hence patients may experience a profound sleep (4).
What are the dosage recommendations of trazodone for narcolepsy?
The dosage recommendations of trazodone are 100 to 400mg per day either given at night or thrice a day in divided doses. However, the dose of trazodone may vary from person to person according to personalized needs. Your doctor will determine the dosage of trazodone suitable for you according to your symptoms, family or medical history.
When trazodone is taken at night, people may experience a deep sleep and may get fresh the next morning as they will have a quality sleep. However, patients taking trazodone during the daytime may experience some of the side effects, such as dry mouth, headaches and feeling lethargic (5).
What treatments are approved for narcolepsy?
The approved treatments of narcolepsy may include pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments such as:
Pharmacological treatment
The pharmacological approach to treating narcolepsy may include:
- Modafinil and armodafinil help to stay awake.
- Sodium oxybate and venlafaxine to reduce cataplexy attacks along with narcolepsy.
- Sodium oxybate may also be used for sleep-related disorders such as paralysis or hallucinations.
- Pitolisant and solriamfetol are newly emerged treatments for treating narcolepsy.
- Methylphenidate and amphetamines can also be used as the third line of therapy (6,7).
Non-pharmacological treatment
The non-pharmacological approach to narcolepsy treatment may include:
- Ensure to get enough sleep of 8 to 9 hours.
- Maintain a proper bedtime routine to promote quality sleep.
- Follow a good hygiene routine, and use a clean and comfortable nightwear.
- Incorporate some kind of physical activity in your daily routine, such as walking, yoga, or meditation.
- Avoid using gadgets near bedtime.
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption (8).
What to do if trazodone does not help with narcolepsy?
If trazodone does not help your symptoms of narcolepsy, please reach out to your healthcare provider. They may evaluate your current condition, family or medical history, and response to the treatment. Your doctor may try to increase the dose and check the response afterwards.
However, if you do not respond well to the increased dose of trazodone, your doctor may recommend you take other treatment options available for narcolepsy such as modafinil, armodafinil, sodium oxybate, venlafaxine, methylphenidate or amphetamines.
From my perspective, trazodone may help with the symptoms of narcolepsy. Trazodone may prevent narcolepsy even when used for extended periods. However, it is not necessary that trazodone may help everyone using it for narcolepsy as some patients may not respond well. Therefore, in such cases, your doctor may advise you to take other treatment options.
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References
1.-
Shin JJ, Saadabadi A. Trazodone. 2022 Jul 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29262060. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29262060/
2.-
Bamalan OA, Moore MJ, Al Khalili Y. Physiology, Serotonin. 2023 Jul 30. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31424752. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31424752/
3.-
Sandyk R. Efficacy of trazodone in narcolepsy. Eur Neurol. 1985;24(5):335-7. doi: 10.1159/000115821. PMID: 4054183. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4054183/
4.-
Ware JC, Pittard JT. Increased deep sleep after trazodone use: a double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy young adults. J Clin Psychiatry. 1990 Sep;51 Suppl:18-22. PMID: 2211560. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2211560/
5.-
Brooks D, Prothero W, Bouras N, Bridges PK, Jarman CM, Ankier SI. Trazodone–a comparison of single night-time and divided daily dosage regimens. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1984;84(1):1-4. doi: 10.1007/BF00432013. PMID: 6436874. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6436874/
6.-
Thorpy MJ. Recently Approved and Upcoming Treatments for Narcolepsy. CNS Drugs. 2020 Jan;34(1):9-27. doi: 10.1007/s40263-019-00689-1. PMID: 31953791; PMCID: PMC6982634. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6982634/
7.-
Barateau L, Lopez R, Dauvilliers Y. Treatment Options for Narcolepsy. CNS Drugs. 2016 May;30(5):369-79. doi: 10.1007/s40263-016-0337-4. PMID: 27155860. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27155860/
8.-
Garma L, Marchand F. Non-pharmacological approaches to the treatment of narcolepsy. Sleep. 1994 Dec;17(8 Suppl):S97-102. doi: 10.1093/sleep/17.suppl_8.s97. PMID: 7701208. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7701208/
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