Investigational Narcolepsy Treatment Is Effective, Well-Tolerated Among Patients

Michael Thorpy, MD, professor of neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, reviews a study presented at the 2021 Sleep meeting that examined the use of an investigational treatment, FT218, which significantly improved excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep quality among patients with narcolepsy, according to the study findings. 

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Welcome back to PopHealth Perspectives, a conversation with the Population Health Learning Network, where we combine expert commentary and exclusive insight into key issues in population health management and more.

Today, we are joined by Dr Michael Thorpy, professor of neurology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr Thorpy reviews a study presented at the 2021 Sleeping Meeting that examined the use of an investigational treatment, FT218, which significantly improved excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep quality among patients with narcolepsy, according to the study findings. Dr Thorpy?

Hello, I'm Michael Thorpy. I am a professor of neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Director of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. At the 2021 Sleep Meeting held by the American Association of Professional Sleep Societies, there were a number of abstracts presented on the topic of a new agent for the treatment of narcolepsy called FT218.

At the Sleep Meeting, an abstract was presented on the efficacy of FT218 on polysomnographic measures, looking particularly at sleep continuity. Now, it's known in narcolepsy that patients have disturbed nocturnal sleep, so that their sleep can become fragmented.

The question that was being addressed was whether this long-acting form of sodium oxybate was effective at improving nighttime sleep. This was an evaluation of the polysomnographic studies overnight. What was seen was that there was a significant improvement in disturbed nocturnal sleep, as well as nocturnal arousals.

At all doses of FT218 that was given—9 grams, 7.5 grams, and 6 grams—it showed statistical improvement in terms of the symptoms. The most common adverse reactions that were seen during the study were nausea, dizziness, enuresis, headache, decreased appetite, and some patients had vomiting.

Overall, it was well-tolerated, and the tolerability of FT218 was the same as for standard sodium oxybate.

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