Does short-term treatment with modafinil affect blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea?
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of modafinil, a central nonamphetamine awakening substance, on blood pressure and heart rate in hypersomnolent patients with obstructive sleep apnea. DESIGN: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial was performed over 2 days and 3 nights in a single-center study of hospitalized patients from a referred care center. Twenty-six otherwise healthy men (age range, 30 to 60 years) with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea were recruited by the outpatient department of the Marburg University Sleep Laboratory. Patients were given 200 mg oral modafinil in the morning and 100 mg at midday. Placebo was given in the same manner in a crossover design. Mean arterial (radial) blood pressure was monitored continuously during nocturnal sleep and during a series of standardized daytime physical and psychologic performance tests. RESULTS: The difference in the main end point between the treatment with modafinil and placebo was 1.17+/-0.83 (mean +/- SE) mm Hg (95% confidence interval: -0.56 to 2.91 mm Hg). The maximal differences in blood pressure values occurred under loaded conditions (systolic blood pressure, ergometry: 5.62+/-1.13 mm Hg; mental stress test: 6.19+/-1.33 mm Hg). CONCLUSION: Short-term administration of modafinil did not elicit a significant response with regard to the main end point. However, cardiovascular effects during mental and physical load were observed. Longterm studies that include subjects with hypertension are necessary to investigate the clinical relevance of the cardiovascular effects of modafinil.
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Acute administration of modafinil increases arterial blood pressure and heart rate.
“Acute administration of modafinil increases arterial blood pressure and heart rate.73”
With exercise, modafinil intake (300 mg) results in a significant increase in mean systolic and diastolic pressures and heart rate compared to placebo.
“With exercise, modafinil intake (300 mg) results in a significant increase in mean systolic and diastolic pressures as well as heart rate compared to placebo.”
Modafinil has no effect on the AHI but reduces objective sleepiness by approximately one minute.
“This drug has no effect on the AHI, 71,72 but has been shown to reduce objective sleepiness by approximately one minute.[70][71][72][73][74][75]”
Findings from one study measuring cardiovascular responses to modafinil raise the possibility that modafinil use may increase blood pressure.
“Nevertheless, findings from one study measuring cardiovascular responses to modafinil raise the possibility that modafinil use may increase blood pressure.73”
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- Authors
- HEITMANN, J., CASSEL, W., GROTE, L., BICKEL, U., HARTLAUB, U., PENZEL, T., & PETER, J.
- Affiliations
- Philipps University of Marburg (DE)
- Venue
- Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1999-03
- Volume
- 65
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 328-335
- ISSN
- 0009-9236 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2085700846
- Cited by
- 37
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 0.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies
- Keywords
- modafinil, obstructive sleep apnea, blood pressure, heart rate, central stimulants, daytime sleepiness, cardiovascular effects, psychological stress, physical activity
- MeSH terms
- Modafinil, Adult, Central Nervous System Stimulants, Benzhydryl Compounds, Blood Pressure, Diastole, Double-Blind Method, Drug Administration Schedule, Female, Hospitalization, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychometrics, Sleep Apnea Syndromes, Systole, Wakefulness, Ergometry, Treatment Outcome, Cross-Over Studies
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