Suggest Medication For Excessive Sleepiness In An Elderly Person

Posted on Fri, 4 Nov 2016

Question: I average 14 hours of sound sleep per night - 12-16 hours. What, if anything, can I do to reduce the number of hours of sleep that I require? I am 80 years old, and have fibromylia, so I do mild exercises every day, but it I increase the intensity I pay for it the next day by feeling rotten.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Modafinil can be used

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

The following things can be done to reduce sleep hours in your case.
1. Reducing the dose or stopping medications that have sedation as side effect.
2. In case none of such medication exists in your prescription than using modafinil in morning can help you to make more active specially during day.
3. Increasing the duration of exercise rather than intensity- if possible

I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (34 minutes later)

I was on Providgil and within 3 hours had a terrible reaction. Is modafinil in a different catagory of drugs than Providgil?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No, they are the same

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

Modafinil and provigil are same and there are no differences between them, IN fact provigil is brand name of modafinil.

In this scenario we have option of armodafinil. Itbelongs to same class of modafinil but quite different. I understand this is not something great over provigil but can be tried.

I hope this assists you further.
Thanks and regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar