Presently, there isn’t a treatment for cataplexy or narcolepsy. Signs of narcolepsy (together with cataplexy) sometimes develop over a number of months and final a lifetime. Relying on the severity, some individuals with cataplexy could solely have one or two assaults in a lifetime, whereas others could expertise a number of assaults a day.
With out correct prognosis and remedy of narcolepsy, signs similar to cataplexy may be harmful and “life-restricting,” notes Dr. Olson. “Somebody could cease competing to keep away from profitable one thing, or keep away from laughing, and even partaking in intercourse,” says Olson.
Briefly, individuals affected by cataplexy could be taught to switch their habits and actions to attenuate their threat of bringing on an episode, and plenty of find yourself avoiding conditions that will trigger cataplexy. These changes may be consequential and vastly have an effect on high quality of life, similar to if somebody skips social conditions with buddies or avoids driving.
Nonetheless, whereas narcolepsy with cataplexy is a lifelong situation, there are drugs that may allow you to handle the signs.
Treatment Choices for Cataplexy
There are medication which have been proven to be efficient in treating cataplexy. Medicines could cut back cataplectic assaults by 90 % or remove them completely in some individuals.
The first remedy choices are drugs that enable individuals to remain awake throughout the day and push them to sleep at night time, says Lois E. Krahn, MD, a professor of psychiatry within the Mayo Clinic School of Drugs who relies in Phoenix.
There may be some proof that tricyclic antidepressants, similar to clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil), and desipramine (Norpramin), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) could also be useful for cataplexy, in addition to different narcolepsy signs. Sodium oxybate, taken at night time for its sedative impact, has additionally been proven to be efficient in treating extreme daytime sleepiness in addition to cataplexy assaults.
Nonetheless, a brand new drug for kind 1 narcolepsy referred to as Orzeyful (oveporexton) was permitted in August 2026. This medicine is available in pill type and works by immediately focusing on the orexin deficiency that folks with narcolepsy expertise. Whereas this can be a medicine for narcolepsy, it additionally helps considerably enhance signs of cataplexy. To be eligible to make use of this medicine, you have to expertise each narcolepsy and cataplexy. In the event you and your healthcare supplier resolve this medicine is best for you, you’ll must take the tablets twice a day to note an enchancment in signs.
Individuals who expertise frequent assaults or have signs that significantly interrupt their lives ought to focus on medicine choices with their healthcare supplier and take into account the potential advantages and potential unwanted effects. For individuals with extreme cataplexy, with the ability to take medicine that may assist management assaults could considerably enhance social interplay, security, and general high quality of life. On the flip aspect, when you’ve got uncommon episodes of cataplexy, intervention is probably not wanted.
Different and Complementary Therapies for Cataplexy
Along with drugs, cognitive behavioral remedy (CBT), or studying strategies to enhance habits, could assist individuals handle a number of signs of narcolepsy, together with cataplexy.
CBT strategies for narcolepsy fluctuate however can contain serving to sufferers acknowledge circumstances and feelings that set off their cataplectic assaults and instructing them the best way to reply in ways in which stop an assault from occurring. One other potential CBT approach often known as stimulus satiation is a process wherein the affected person is repeatedly uncovered to the set off that prompts cataplectic episodes till its impact is misplaced. Nonetheless, most research have checked out CBT for different sleep problems, and extra analysis on the appliance of CBT for narcolepsy is required.
Counseling and assist teams can even assist individuals with narcolepsy be taught coping methods to assist handle signs like cataplexy. Discover a assist group by way of Narcolepsy Community. Or ask your physician that can assist you find a assist group or certified counselor.
Prevention of Cataplexy
Medicines are sometimes the best technique to stop cataplexy, although different methods may assist decrease the chance of experiencing episodes. These embrace:
Get sufficient sleep or plan strategic naps. It’s possible you’ll be extra prone to expertise a cataplectic assault whenever you’re sleep-deprived. “If somebody is exhausted, they’re extra susceptible to an emotional set off, so being well-rested is necessary,” Dr. Krahn says. In the event you’re unable to get a superb night time’s sleep otherwise you’re bothered by extreme daytime sleepiness, attempt to take brief, scheduled naps at instances whenever you are likely to really feel sleepiest. “Naps don’t should be terribly lengthy — an individual with narcolepsy can profit from a 20-minute nap,” Krahn says.
Stand up and transfer. Common bodily exercise could not directly assist with cataplexy by conserving daytime sleepiness at bay, in line with Krahn. So should you begin feeling sleepy and might’t take a fast nap, go for a stroll.
Get assist from buddies, household, and coworkers. Let individuals know in case your cataplexy is triggered by robust feelings or particular conditions. In the event you sense an assault is coming, encourage individuals to keep away from these triggers if potential. Although chances are you’ll not need to keep away from robust feelings or particular conditions, it might be preferable to an assault — particularly if an assault is about to happen at an ungainly time (like throughout a meal or work assembly).
