Program Description
This activity was originally presented at the 2025 PTCE Neurology Pharmacy Day of Education.
Narcolepsy is a rare neurologic disorder marked by excessive daytime sleepiness, irresistible urge to sleep, and fragmented and disrupted nighttime sleep. Standard treatments for narcolepsy include stimulants, non-stimulant wakefulness-promoting medications, pitolisant, sodium oxybate, and solriamfetol. Patients with narcolepsy are at an elevated risk for major adverse cardiac events, such as ischemic stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Some of the available treatments for narcolepsy, particularly sodium-based formulations, may exacerbate cardiovascular risks due to their high sodium content, potentially contributing to other cardiovascular complications. New and emerging treatment options for narcolepsy offer the possibility of minimizing additional cardiovascular risks. As the cardiovascular risks associated with narcolepsy can be aggravated by traditional treatments, it is crucial for pharmacists to be aware of these risks and mitigation strategies, including the newer therapeutic alternatives. This activity will provide an overview of the burden and comorbidities associated with narcolepsy, explore emerging treatments for managing the condition, and examine the role of pharmacists in optimizing care by reducing cardiovascular risks. By gaining a better understanding of the latest low-sodium and sodium-free therapeutic options, pharmacists will be better equipped to improve patient care and reduce cardiovascular risks in those with narcolepsy.
Target audience: Community pharmacist
Type of activity: Application
Release date: June 20, 2025
Expiration date: June 20, 2026
Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Learner level: Foundational, Intermediate
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Determine the burden of narcolepsy and associated comorbidities
- Identify the clinical efficacy of new and emerging low-sodium and sodium-free therapeutic options for managing narcolepsy
- Examine the role of pharmacists in optimizing care and reducing cardiovascular risks for patients with narcolepsy
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