Viloxazine hydrochloride in narcolepsy: A preliminary report

Abstract

Twenty-three narcoleptic subjects participated in a single-blind drug study with placebo-viloxazine hydrochloride (100 mg/day). One women discontinued the study because of nausea and headaches during the treatment period. The remaining 22 subjects were polygraphically monitored during baseline, placebo intake, viloxazine treatment, and placebo intake following 48 h of drug withdrawal. Symptoms and side effects were evaluated subjectively and objectively. Except for the subject who discontinued the study, viloxazine was well tolerated, particularly in elderly subjects. The drug had an inhibitory effect on REM sleep, cataplexy, and other auxiliary symptoms. While there is no objective evidence that it heightens alertness, patients reported fewer sleep attacks.