Nocturnal temazepam in the treatment of narcolepsy

Abstract

Narcolepsy is characterized by fragmented nighttime sleep and frequent arousals. One treatment approach to improve daytime symptoms is to consolidate nighttime sleep through decreasing arousals. Sodium oxybate is the first FDA-approved medication that follows this approach. Benzodiazepines are known to also decrease arousals at night and have been proposed to help with sleep fragmentation. In one report, clonazepam was shown to improve cataplexy in 10 of 14 patients with narcolepsy although no improvement in daytime sleepiness was reported. The purpose of this case review was to share our experience of nocturnal temazepam on daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).