Which medication is commonly used to treat narcolepsy?

• A. Methylphenidate
• B. Modafinil
• C. Amphetamine
• D. Selegiline

Answer: (B)

Narcolepsy is marked by excessive daytime sleepiness due to a failure of the brain’s wake-promoting systems to sustain alertness. The goal of treatment is to boost wakefulness during the day. Modafinil is commonly used for this purpose because it effectively promotes wakefulness with a lower risk of abuse and fewer stimulant-related side effects than traditional stimulants. It provides reliable daytime alertness and is often chosen as a first-line option for narcolepsy-related daytime sleepiness.

Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine can also help with alertness, but they carry higher potential for abuse, cardiovascular side effects, and insomnia. Selegiline, an MAO-B inhibitor used in Parkinson’s disease, isn’t a standard treatment for narcolepsy and isn’t effective for promoting daytime wakefulness in this context.