Drug Helps Apnea Patients Stay Awake

Provigil Currently Approved For Narcoleptics

New research has found that a new drug may work better than drinking coffee for people suffering with the most common sleep disorder.

The study conducted at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston showed that the drug Provigil works for patients with sleep apnea, who, despite treatments like air flow machines or surgery, are still drowsy during the day.

The drug, which is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy, works on the area of the brain responsible for the control of sleep and wakefulness, increasing alertness and decreasing the need for sleep.

Study patients who took Provigil said they felt more awake during the day compared to those who took a placebo.

The most common side effects were headache, nervousness, runny nose, nausea, anxiety and dizziness.

Doctors said it's important to note that apnea patients who take Provigil will still need to receive other therapies, such as the C-pap breathing device or surgery.

Researchers are now testing the drug in shift workers.

Obstructive sleep apnea affects millions of Americans.

Copyright 2002 by WBALTV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.