Modafinil currently the most effective treatment for daytime sleepiness in those with idiopathic hypersomnia

Modafinil is effective for the treatment of several aspects of idiopathic hypersomnia symptomatology. Two randomised controlled trials showed reductions in Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores, the primary measure of daytime sleepiness used in this review. Objective sleepiness, as measured by the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test mean sleep latency, also significantly improved with modafinil in these 2 studies. The available data were insufficient to determine whether clarithromycin is superior to placebo for the treatment of idiopathic hypersomnia. Further studies of this intervention would better clarify its effects.