Do you also sleep too much during the day? Let's learn about Pitolisant

Do you also find yourself falling asleep uncontrollably during the day? Or do you suddenly feel like you're going to pass out, like when you laugh a lot or feel sad? These can sometimes be symptoms of a condition called Narcolepsy. So today we're going to talk about a drug called Pitolisant, which is used to treat these conditions.

What is Pitolisant?

Simply put, Pitolisant is a medication used to treat excessive sleepiness in people with a condition called narcolepsy . Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that causes uncontrollable daytime sleepiness.

This medicine also treats a condition called cataplexy, which is a sudden loss of muscle control and loss of consciousness when a strong emotion (for example, laughing out loud, being surprised, or angry) occurs.

Your doctor may also prescribe this medication for other conditions, so if you have any questions, it's best to ask your doctor.

Things to tell your doctor before taking this medicine

Before you start taking Pitolisant, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• If you have heart disease or if someone in your family has had heart disease.
• If you have an irregular heartbeat.
• If you have kidney disease.
• If you have liver disease.
• If you have been told that your blood potassium or magnesium levels are low.
• If you have an allergy to Pitolisant, other foods, dyes, or preservatives.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
• If you are a mother who is breastfeeding a child.

Based on this information, your doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you and what the dosage should be.

How should I use this medicine?

Your doctor and the prescription clearly state how to use this medicine.

• Take this pill with a glass of water .
• It can be taken with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
• Take your medicine at the prescribed time and at the prescribed intervals as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more than the prescribed dose or take it more frequently.
• The most important thing is, do not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.

What do I do if I miss a dose of medication?

If you miss a dose, skip it completely. Take the next dose at the next scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.

What happens if you take too much medicine?

If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not delay. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

Other things that may interact with this medicine

Pitolisant can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbal products you may be taking. This may cause side effects or make the medication less effective.

Things to be careful about while taking the medicine

• Regular check-ups: Visit the clinic on the days your doctor prescribes to see if there is any change in your symptoms. If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, tell your doctor.
• Dry mouth: This medication may cause dry mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on unsweetened candy, or drinking plenty of water may help. If this problem persists or is severe, talk to your doctor.
• Birth control: Your birth control methods (especially those containing hormones) may be less effective while taking this medication. Therefore, talk to your doctor about using an additional form of birth control .

What side effects might I experience?

Like any medicine, Pitolisant can cause side effects in some people. Some of these can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.

This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual, please ask your doctor about it.

Pitolisant, Narcolepsy, Cataplexy, Excessive sleepiness, Sleepiness, Medication, Side Effects