Propranolol in the Treatment of Narcolepsy
Authors: Anthony Kales, Constantin R. Soldatos, Roger Cadieux, Edward O. Bixler, Tjiauwling Tan, Martin B. Scharf
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1979)

Brief Reports1 November 1979Propranolol in the Treatment of NarcolepsyANTHONY KALES, M.D., CONSTANTIN R. SOLDATOS, M.D., ROGER CADIEUX, M.D., EDWARD O. BIXLER, Ph.D., TJIAUWLING TAN, M.D., MARTIN B. SCHARF, Ph.D.ANTHONY KALES, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, CONSTANTIN R. SOLDATOS, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, ROGER CADIEUX, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, EDWARD O. BIXLER, Ph.D.Search for more papers by this author, TJIAUWLING TAN, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, MARTIN B. SCHARF, Ph.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-91-5-741 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptNarcolepsy is being treated with stimulant drugs (amphetamines or methylphenidate) to control the excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep attacks, and imipramine to manage auxiliary symptoms, particularly cataplexy (1). The potentials for tolerance and dependence with the stimulants and cardiotoxicity from imipramine underscore the need for other therapies.In 1978, we administered propranolol to a narcoleptic patient to treat premature ventricular contractions; a detailed report has been published elsewhere (2). When a relatively low dose of propranolol reduced the frequency of narcoleptic and cataplectic attacks, we gradually increased the dose. At a daily dose of about 300 mg, the attacks were...References1. ZARCONE V. Narcolepsy. N Engl J Med. 1973;288:1156-66. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. KALES A, CADIEUX R, SOLDATOS C, and TAN T. Successful treatment of narcolepsy/cataplexy with propranolol. Arch Neurol. In press. Google Scholar3. RECHTSCHAFFEN A, WOLPERT E, and DEMENT W. Nocturnal sleep of narcoleptics. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1963;15:599-609. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. SOLDATOS C, KALES A, and KALES J. Management of insomnia. Annu Rev Med. 1979;30:301-12. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. BAINBRIDGE J and GREENWOOD D. Tranquilizing effects of propranolol demonstrated in rats. Neuropharmacology. 1971;10:453-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. JOUVET M. Biogenic amines and the states of sleep. Science. 1969;163:32-41. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. BROUGHTON R. Neurology and sleep research. Can Psychiatr Assoc J. 1971;16:283-93. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. GREEN A and GRAHAME-SMITH D. (-)-Propranolol inhibits the behavioural responses of rats to increased 5-hydroxytryptamine in the central nervous system. Nature. 1976;262:594-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. MIDDLEMISS D, BLAKEBOROUGH L, and LEATHER S. Direct evidence of an interaction of β-adrenergic blockers with the 5-HT receptor. Nature. 1977;267:289-90 Letter. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. WYLER A, WILKUS R, and TROUPIN A. Methysergide in the treatment of narcolepsy. Arch Neurol. 1975;32:265-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: ANTHONY KALES, M.D.; CONSTANTIN R. SOLDATOS, M.D.; ROGER CADIEUX, M.D.; EDWARD O. BIXLER, Ph.D.; TJIAUWLING TAN, M.D.; MARTIN B. SCHARF, Ph.D.Affiliations: Sleep Research and Treatment Center Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine Hershey, Pennsylvania PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byPharmacotherapy for cataplexyAnxiolytic DrugsPharmacology of the Catecholaminergic SystemDias RoundsNarkolepsie – Krankheitsbild, Therapie, Risiken und NebenwirkungenEfficacy of gamma-hydroxybutyrate versus placebo in treating narcolepsy-cataplexy: Double-blind subjective measuresA function for REM sleep: regulation of noradrenergic receptor sensitivityCentral effects of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. II- Electroencephalogram and body sway.Pharmacotherapy and the neurobehavioural sequelae of traumatic brain injuryNarcolepsySleep Disorders: Sleep Apnea and NarcolepsyANTHONY KALES, M.D., ANTONIO VELA-BUENO, M.D., JOYCE D. KALES, M.D.The Relevance of Sleep Disorders Medicine to Psychiatric PracticeNeuronal Basis of Behavioral State Control?-Blockers and sleep: A controlled trialInsomnia and Other Sleep DisordersThe Treatment of Narcolepsy and CataplexyPropranolol and the Treatment of Sleep AttacksROBERT W. CLARK, M.D.Clinical pharmacology of the new betaadrenergic blocking drugs. Part 13. The betaadrenoceptor blocking drugs: A perspective 1 November 1979Volume 91, Issue 5Page: 741-743KeywordsAmphetaminesDrug regulationDrugsNarcolepsyPremature ventricular contractionSleep ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 November 1979 PDF downloadLoading ...