Surreal illustration of climbing a staircase of coffee beans toward sunrise, symbolizing improved wakefulness.

Unlocking Wakefulness: New Advances in Narcolepsy and Sleep Apnea Treatments

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Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"Exploring the Latest Research on Solriamfetol and Pitolisant for Managing Excessive Sleepiness"


Excessive sleepiness can significantly impair daily functioning and quality of life. For individuals with narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), managing wakefulness is a constant challenge. Fortunately, ongoing research continues to yield innovative treatments, offering new hope for improved alertness and overall well-being.

This article delves into recent advancements in the pharmacological management of excessive sleepiness, focusing on the latest findings regarding solriamfetol and pitolisant. We'll explore how these medications are making a difference in the lives of those affected by narcolepsy and OSA, drawing from clinical studies presented at a recent sleep medicine conference.

Our aim is to translate complex research into accessible insights, providing a clear understanding of how these treatments work, who they benefit, and what the latest data reveals about their efficacy and safety. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this article offers valuable information to stay informed about the evolving landscape of sleep disorder treatments.

Solriamfetol: Enhancing Wakefulness in Narcolepsy and OSA

Surreal illustration of climbing a staircase of coffee beans toward sunrise, symbolizing improved wakefulness.

Solriamfetol, a selective dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, has emerged as a promising treatment for excessive sleepiness in both narcolepsy and OSA. Clinical trials have demonstrated its ability to significantly improve wakefulness and reduce daytime sleepiness, offering a new approach to managing these debilitating conditions.

One study focused on solriamfetol's effects on maintaining wakefulness throughout the day in individuals with narcolepsy and OSA. The research utilized the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) to assess the drug's efficacy at different time points after morning dosing. The results highlighted a sustained improvement in wakefulness, suggesting that solriamfetol can provide consistent benefits throughout the day.

  • Improved Wakefulness: Solriamfetol demonstrated a significant increase in mean sleep latency (MSL) across multiple MWT trials, indicating enhanced alertness.
  • Dose-Dependent Effects: Different dosages of solriamfetol (75 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg) showed varying degrees of improvement, allowing for tailored treatment approaches.
  • Sustained Efficacy: The benefits of solriamfetol were observed from one hour to nine hours post-dosing, suggesting a prolonged wake-promoting effect.
  • Safety and Tolerability: The most common side effects included headache, nausea, decreased appetite, anxiety, and nasopharyngitis, consistent with previous solriamfetol studies.
These findings underscore solriamfetol's potential as a valuable tool in managing excessive sleepiness, offering individuals with narcolepsy and OSA a greater ability to stay awake and engaged throughout their daily activities. The drug's consistent performance and manageable side effects make it an attractive option for those seeking improved wakefulness and quality of life.

The Future of Wakefulness: Personalized Approaches to Sleep Disorder Treatment

The research on solriamfetol and pitolisant highlights the ongoing progress in developing targeted treatments for narcolepsy and OSA. As our understanding of these conditions deepens, personalized approaches that consider individual patient needs and preferences will become increasingly important.

By tailoring treatment strategies to address specific symptoms and optimize wakefulness, healthcare professionals can help individuals with sleep disorders achieve a better quality of life. The availability of multiple therapeutic options, each with its unique mechanism of action and side effect profile, empowers patients and providers to make informed decisions that align with their goals and values.

Continued research and innovation in the field of sleep medicine are essential to further refine existing treatments and discover new therapies that address the unmet needs of individuals with narcolepsy, OSA and other disorders characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to live a full and productive life.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is the main focus of the research?

Excessive sleepiness is a significant impairment for individuals with narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Managing wakefulness is a major challenge. The research described focuses on medications to address this issue, with the goal of improving alertness and overall well-being for those affected by these conditions. Solriamfetol and pitolisant are the main focus of the research.

2

What is Solriamfetol and how is it used to treat sleep disorders?

Solriamfetol is a medication that is a selective dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Its role in treating excessive sleepiness in narcolepsy and OSA is significant because clinical trials have shown that it improves wakefulness and reduces daytime sleepiness. This offers a new way to manage these conditions. The specific benefits of solriamfetol include improved wakefulness, as demonstrated by the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), dose-dependent effects, sustained efficacy, and a safety profile with manageable side effects.

3

How does the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) help evaluate solriamfetol?

The Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) is used to assess how well solriamfetol helps people stay awake throughout the day. The results showed that solriamfetol improved wakefulness by measuring the time it took for participants to fall asleep after taking the medication. A longer time indicates better alertness. The study demonstrated that solriamfetol can provide consistent benefits, offering a tool for managing excessive sleepiness, especially in those with narcolepsy and OSA.

4

What are the common side effects of Solriamfetol?

The most common side effects of solriamfetol include headache, nausea, decreased appetite, anxiety, and nasopharyngitis. These side effects are generally consistent with those observed in previous studies of solriamfetol. The fact that the side effects are manageable is important because it makes solriamfetol a more attractive option for people seeking to improve their wakefulness and quality of life. This balance of effectiveness and side effects is a key factor in determining whether a medication is a useful treatment option.

5

Why are personalized approaches to sleep disorder treatment important?

Personalized approaches to sleep disorder treatment are becoming increasingly important because they allow for individual patient needs and preferences to be considered. This involves considering the individual's specific condition, response to medication, and any other factors that might affect treatment outcomes. The research on solriamfetol and pitolisant demonstrates that ongoing progress is being made in developing targeted treatments for narcolepsy and OSA. These personalized approaches aim to provide the most effective and well-tolerated treatment possible, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

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