Ellen Wermter, FNP-BC

Panelists discuss a woman aged 26 years with narcolepsy type 2 whose modafinil is ineffective and causes adverse effects, highlighting solriamfetol and oxybates as treatment options while emphasizing personalized care that integrates medication with lifestyle and behavioral strategies.

Panelists discuss the multifaceted barriers to medication adherence in narcolepsy, highlighting access issues, forgetfulness, mood disorders, and adverse effects, while emphasizing practical tools like habit-stacking, sleep logs, and routine reinforcement to support consistency and reframe treatment as a lifelong support rather than a temporary fix.

Panelists discuss the importance of setting realistic expectations when initiating pitolisant for narcolepsy, emphasizing consistent daily use, gradual titration, and patient-centered measures of success, while accounting for external stressors, lifestyle factors, and the need for occupational accommodations to support long-term functional outcomes.

Panelists discuss how behavioral strategies—including structured sleep routines, scheduled naps, dietary adjustments, light therapy, and cognitive behavioral support—are essential components of comprehensive narcolepsy management, reinforcing that individualized, nonpharmacologic interventions can significantly improve daily function and long-term outcomes.

Panelists discuss the clinical and practical advantages of pitolisant for patients with frequent cataplexy and concerns about controlled substances, highlighting its dual efficacy, favorable safety profile, and flexible dosing as key features that support a patient-centered, stigma-conscious approach to narcolepsy care.

Panelists discuss the importance of shared decision-making in narcolepsy care, emphasizing structured conversations that explore patient goals, treatment preferences, and concerns—while navigating practical barriers like insurance—so that therapy selection is personalized and collaborative, often requiring a multimodal approach for optimal outcomes.

Panelists discuss the critical importance of early diagnosis and personalized treatment in narcolepsy, using a case study to illustrate how tailored therapy—considering patient preferences, comorbidities, and lifestyle factors—can improve engagement, safety, and long-term outcomes.

Panelists discuss the evolving treatment landscape for narcolepsy, highlighting the growing availability of personalized therapies, persistent challenges with diagnosis and access, and the importance of clinician advocacy and education to ensure timely, individualized care for patients.