![]() ![]() Not everyone with sleep paralysis has narcolepsy, however. This temporary immobility during REM sleep may prevent your body from acting out dream activity. This sleep paralysis mimics the type of temporary paralysis that normally occurs during a period of sleep called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. You may be aware of the condition and have no difficulty recalling it afterward, even if you had no control over what was happening to you. These episodes are usually brief - lasting a few seconds or minutes - but can be frightening. People with narcolepsy often experience a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or upon waking. Not everyone with narcolepsy experiences cataplexy. Some people with narcolepsy experience only one or two episodes of cataplexy a year, while others have numerous episodes daily. For example, when you laugh, your head may droop uncontrollably or your knees may suddenly buckle. This condition, called cataplexy (KAT-uh-plek-see), can cause a number of physical changes, from slurred speech to complete weakness of most muscles, and may last up to a few minutes.Ĭataplexy is uncontrollable and is triggered by intense emotions, usually positive ones such as laughter or excitement, but sometimes fear, surprise or anger. Excessive daytime sleepiness usually is the first symptom to appear and is often the most troublesome, making it difficult for you to concentrate and fully function. You may also experience decreased alertness and focus throughout the day. When you awaken, you feel refreshed, but eventually you get sleepy again. ![]() For example, you may be working or talking with friends and suddenly you nod off, sleeping for a few minutes up to a half-hour. People with narcolepsy fall asleep without warning, anywhere, anytime. They include:Įxcessive daytime sleepiness. This kind of interprofessional team approach would maximize efficacy and minimize adverse drug reactions of sodium oxybate, translating to enhanced patient outcomes.The signs and symptoms of narcolepsy may worsen for the first few years and then continue for life. If the poisoning was deliberate, referral to a psychiatrist is required. As depicted above, it is the responsibility of the entire healthcare team, such as clinicians (MDs, DOs, NPs, PAs), nurses, specialists, and pharmacists, to work in close collaboration. The medical toxicologist can assist if multiple drug ingestions are suspected. Critical care physicians ensure proper care of intubated patients. In overdose, emergency department physicians and triage nurses should stabilize the vitals. The program focuses on limiting drug distribution and educating patients on the proper use of the drug. An extensive risk management program from the drug manufacturer can help to prevent the misuse of sodium oxybate. Concomitant use of CNS depressant and the patient’s health history resulted in an unintentional overdose. ![]() Specially trained nurses can monitor for the signs of improvement and should inform the prescriber of any discrepancies. Furthermore, nurses can reinforce the importance of strict adherence to the treatment regimen.Ī 2009 forensic multi-drug intoxication fatality involving sodium oxybate presented a sleep apnea patient who had mistakenly received prescriptions for various CNS depressants, including sodium oxybate. Pharmacists should also counsel in detail regarding the potential adverse drug reactions. Pharmacists should ensure proper dosing and step-by-step instruction on taking sodium oxybate to minimize adverse events. Sodium oxybate is usually prescribed for narcolepsy by a board-certified sleep medicine physician or neurologist. ![]() Prescribers need to be cautious when prescribing a Schedule III controlled substance such as sodium oxybate due to the high potential for abuse. ![]()
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