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New Pill Fights Early Morning Worker Sleepiness
2 Feb
Summary
- Non-stimulant pill solriamfetol significantly reduces sleepiness in early shift workers.
- Workers taking solriamfetol were four times less likely to feel sleepy on the job.
- The drug increases brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine to boost alertness.
A recent clinical trial has identified a potential new solution for early-morning shift workers experiencing excessive sleepiness. Researchers found that the non-stimulant medication solriamfetol, also known as Sunosi, significantly improved wakefulness and alertness during work hours.
Participants who took solriamfetol daily for four weeks were substantially less prone to feeling sleepy on the job, with objective monitoring and self-reports indicating a fourfold decrease in sleepiness compared to a placebo group. This marks a significant advancement, as no prior clinical trials had specifically targeted treatments for this common work schedule.
The drug functions by increasing the activity of dopamine and norepinephrine, key brain chemicals associated with alertness. Unlike stimulants, solriamfetol is noted for helping individuals stay awake without negatively impacting subsequent sleep.
This development offers hope for essential workers who often face challenges maintaining alertness when waking during biologically programmed sleep times. The study, funded by Axsome Therapeutics, addresses a critical gap in understanding and treating shift work disorder in early-morning shift workers.
