Some are licensed for the treatment of one or more symptoms of narcolepsy, while others are not licensed but are used “off label”, for which they can only be prescribed by a specialist. There are many drugs that are used to treat narcolepsy and IH. This usually involves a combination of medication and changes to lifestyle. What works best for one patient does not necessarily work for another, and your doctor will try to find the treatment that is most suitable for you. There are several treatments available to help control the symptoms of narcolepsy or IH. Although the cause of idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) is not known, the treatment of this condition is similar to narcolepsy. Treatment is therefore focused on controlling the symptoms of narcolepsy in a way that allows the patient to live as normal a life as possible.
As there is currently no way to replace these cells, narcolepsy is a lifelong condition. Narcolepsy is usually caused by the loss of certain cells within the brain (see What causes narcolepsy?). There is at present no cure for narcolepsy, but the condition is manageable.
