Wakix (pitolisant) for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in narcolepsy

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a long-term condition which causes excessive sleepiness during the day and may disrupt your sleep at night. You can also have sleep attacks where you fall asleep at inappropriate times during the day without any warning.

What is Wakix?

Wakix is a brand name of pitolisant. It belongs to a new group of medicines which regulate certain chemicals in the brain to promote wakefulness. It works is by stimulating the brain to improve wakefulness and daytime alertness, while also helping to improve cataplexy attacks.

How do I take the medicine?

Pitolisant should be taken once a day, in the morning, for the treatment of narcolepsy. It can be taken with or after food. It should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. It is important to take pitolisant as your consultant has prescribed.

Do not stop taking suddenly unless told otherwise.

What should I do if I forget to take the medicine?

Don’t worry. Just take the dose as soon as you remember, but do not take after 2pm as this may affect your sleep and reduce your total sleep time.

Do not take 2 doses together to make up for the forgotten dose.

Are there any side effects?

Most medicines can cause unwanted side effects, although not everyone gets them. The following are examples of some of the common side effects reported by patients taking pitolisant. The unwanted effects often fade as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

For further information on side effects, please see the manufacturer’s leaflet that comes with the medicine. If any of the side effects persist or become a problem, contact your GP, consultant or pharmacist.

Can I take pitolisant with other medicines?

Pitolisant may interact with some medicines. It is important to let us know about any medicines that you are currently taking, so that we can check pitolisant is suitable for you.

If you are buying any medicines over the counter from a pharmacy, always mention that you have been prescribed pitolisant. It is safe to take paracetamol with this medicine but ask for advice before buying any anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen or aspirin.

Seek advice when purchasing herbal or homeopathic remedies.

How will my treatment be reviewed?

Your treatment will be reviewed on an ongoing basis in the Narcolepsy Clinic and the dose adjusted in response to your symptoms. Your consultant will want to check to ensure that the treatment is helping. You may need to have your blood pressure and heart rate checked regularly.

How do I get a repeat prescription?

Your consultant will provide repeat prescriptions, which will be sent in the post.

It can also be dispensed by the Rowland’s pharmacy at Sheffield Children’s Hospital outpatients 0114 305 3367.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Contraception

Pitolisant can reduce the effectiveness of all hormonal contraceptives. Other forms of effective contraception should be used while taking pitolisant.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

You should not take pitolisant if you are pregnant. You may need to have a test to double check you are not pregnant before starting pitolisant.

If you are sexually active, you should use effective contraception during treatment and for 2 months after it is stopped. If you are considering becoming pregnant or you discover that you are pregnant, you should contact your consultant as soon as possible so that a management plan can be agreed.

Pitolisant should not be used if you are breastfeeding.

Driving

If you are old enough to drive, you must let the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) know if you are diagnosed with narcolepsy.

You may be allowed to drive again when your symptoms are well controlled with medication, but you will need to have regular reviews. Your consultant will advise you about this.

If you are a driver, please be aware that pitolisant may affect your reactions and ability to drive. It is an offence to drive while your reactions are impaired. Even if your driving ability is not impaired, if you drive, you should carry some evidence with you which shows that the medicine has been prescribed for you. A repeat prescription form or the patient information leaflet from the packet is generally enough.

Operations

If you are due to have an operation or dental treatment, it is important that you tell your dentist, consultant or GP who can advise you further.

Sleep routines

Taking pitolisant is not a replacement for a good sleep routine. It is still important to aim to get around 9 to 11 hours of sleep at night, depending on your age. Try to go to bed when you’re tired and get up at about the same time each day.

Pitolisant should be stored safely and kept out of reach of children. If anyone other than you takes this medicine, you, they, or their parent or carer should contact NHS 111 for advice. If they are unwell then they should call for an ambulance.

Expiry

Do not use the medicine after the expiry date.

The expiry date is printed on the container. Any that have gone out of date should be returned to your local pharmacy to be properly disposed of.