Abstract |
Yohimbine was used in four men and four women ranging in age from 21 to 64 years with nocturnal polysomnography and multiple sleep latency test-verified narcolepsy. All achieved a stimulant response in doses ranging from 2.7 to 16.2 mg/day. The effective dose was defined as the amount of medication required to maintain subjective wakefulness for 8 consecutive working hours. The average effective dose was approximately 8 mg/day. While one subject became immediately tolerant, others maintained a response for several weeks. The first subject continued to have good control of sleepiness for 17 months. Mild and transient side effects were insomnia, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flushing, and tremor. Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor abnormalities are suspected in narcolepsy, which could explain the improvement in sleepiness for these patients.
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Authors | V Wooten |
Journal | Southern medical journal
(South Med J)
Vol. 87
Issue 11
Pg. 1065-6
(Nov 1994)
ISSN: 0038-4348 [Print] United States |
PMID | 7973885
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Narcolepsy
(drug therapy)
- Yohimbine
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
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