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Pitolisant: Difference between revisions

From Pharmacopedia
[pending revision][pending revision]
Expand Pitolisant with Stahl-sourced detail (with skepticism)
Terminology sweep: drug/medication → medicine
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| pregnancy      = Limited data; pitolisant may reduce hormonal contraceptive efficacy
| pregnancy      = Limited data; pitolisant may reduce hormonal contraceptive efficacy
| legal          = Rx — '''not a controlled substance''' (unique among wake-promoting agents)
| legal          = Rx — '''not a controlled substance''' (unique among wake-promoting agents)
| intro          = '''Pitolisant''' (brand name Wakix) is a selective histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist FDA-approved in August 2019 for excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in narcolepsy. Notable for being '''not a controlled substance''' — unique among approved wake-promoting medications, all of which have abuse potential and DEA scheduling (modafinil IV, methylphenidate II, amphetamine II, solriamfetol IV, sodium oxybate III).
| intro          = '''Pitolisant''' (brand name Wakix) is a selective histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist FDA-approved in August 2019 for excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in narcolepsy. Notable for being '''not a controlled substance''' — unique among approved wake-promoting medicines, all of which have abuse potential and DEA scheduling (modafinil IV, methylphenidate II, amphetamine II, solriamfetol IV, sodium oxybate III).


Mechanism: H3 autoreceptors on histamine neurons in the tuberomammillary nucleus normally inhibit histamine release. Pitolisant blocks (or inverse-agonizes) these autoreceptors, disinhibiting histamine release and promoting wakefulness. Downstream effects on acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and dopamine pathways may also contribute. Slow titration required.
Mechanism: H3 autoreceptors on histamine neurons in the tuberomammillary nucleus normally inhibit histamine release. Pitolisant blocks (or inverse-agonizes) these autoreceptors, disinhibiting histamine release and promoting wakefulness. Downstream effects on acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and dopamine pathways may also contribute. Slow titration required.
| pharmacodynamics= High-affinity inverse agonist at human H3 receptor. Minimal binding at H1, H2, H4, monoamine transporters, or other monoamine receptors.
| pharmacodynamics= High-affinity inverse agonist at human H3 receptor. Minimal binding at H1, H2, H4, monoamine transporters, or other monoamine receptors.
| effects        = Headache, insomnia, anxiety, nausea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, sleep disturbances. QT prolongation possible (caution with other QT-prolonging drugs). Can reduce hormonal contraceptive efficacy.
| effects        = Headache, insomnia, anxiety, nausea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, sleep disturbances. QT prolongation possible (caution with other QT-prolonging medicines). Can reduce hormonal contraceptive efficacy.
| interactions    = <pharmaInteractions/>
| interactions    = <pharmaInteractions/>
}}
}}