Eugeroics (Wakefulness-Promoting Agents)
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Overview
Medications that promote wakefulness and alertness. Unlike traditional stimulants, eugeroics have a more targeted mechanism of action and lower potential for abuse. They are primarily used to treat excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.
How do eugeroics (wakefulness-promoting agents) work?
Promote wakefulness by modulating dopamine, norepinephrine, and histamine neurotransmitter systems in the hypothalamus. Unlike amphetamines, they do not significantly increase overall sympathetic activity.
Drugs in this class
- Modafinil (Provigil)