Evaluation of short-term and long-term treatment of the narcolepsy syndrome with clomipramine hydrochloride.

Abstract

Clinical examinations, questionnaires, and 24- or 36-hour polygraphic recordings were performed on 21 adult patients with the narcolepsy syndrome to investigate the short- and long-term effects of clomipramine HCL. Cataplexy was improved by the medication, but tolerance was observed 4 1/2 months of treatment. Clomipramine HCL induced significant changes in the sleep EEG, chin EMG, and EOG. In two patients, clomipramine HCL caused a nocturnal myoclonia that produced insomnia. Sexual side effects were seen with clomipramine HCL, particularly in males. A combination of clomipramine HCL and L-Dopa apparently prevented this difficulty in one patient. A rebound of cataplexy was seen during the 15 days following withdrawal of the drug. Methysergide maleate was found to be ineffective on cataplexy in four patients.

• Authors: C Guilleminault, D Raynal, S Takahashi, M Carskadon, W Dement
• Journal: Acta neurologica Scandinavica (Acta Neurol Scand) Vol. 54 Issue 1 Pg. 71-87 (Jul 1976) ISSN: 0001-6314 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 936975 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Dibenzazepines
• Clomipramine
• Methysergide

Topics

• Adult
• Cataplexy (drug therapy)
• Clomipramine (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Dibenzazepines (therapeutic use)
• Drug Evaluation
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Methysergide (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Narcolepsy (drug therapy)
• Sexual Behavior (drug effects)
• Sleep (drug effects)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (drug therapy)
• Time Factors