Pitolisant (brand name Wakix) is a medication used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness in adults with narcolepsy. It is believed to work by binding to histamine receptors in the brain, increasing the activity of wake-promoting neurotransmitters. It is the first drug in a new class of drugs known as "histamine H3-receptor inverse agonists". Pitolisant has been approved for use in the European Union since June 2018 and is currently under review by the FDA for use in the United States.
Pitolisant is a medication used to treat adults with narcolepsy, a chronic sleep disorder causing excessive daytime sleepiness and, in some cases, cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness). Here's a breakdown of its key points:
What it's used for:
- Improves alertness and reduces excessive daytime sleepiness in adults with narcolepsy [1, 2].
- May also help manage cataplexy, a symptom of narcolepsy that causes sudden muscle weakness triggered by emotions [2].
How it works:
- Unlike traditional stimulants, Pitolisant works by increasing histamine levels in the brain [2, 4]. Histamine is a natural neurotransmitter that promotes wakefulness [2]. By affecting histamine receptors, Pitolisant helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle [1].
Things to know about Pitolisant:
- It's a histamine H3 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist, making it the first commercially available medication in this class [3].
- It comes under the brand name Wakix, among others [2].
- It might take up to 2 months to feel the full effects of Pitolisant [4].