Sleep Disorders: Hypersomnia Treatments

Treatment for hypersomnia depends on the cause of hypersomnia. For example, if you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor may prescribe a treatment known as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to use when sleeping. With CPAP, you wear a mask over your nose that is hooked up to a machine that delivers a continuous flow of air into the nostrils. The pressure from air flowing into the nostrils helps keep the airways open.

If you are taking a medication that causes drowsiness, your doctor may suggest trying another medication. He or she may also suggest certain lifestyle modifications, such as going to bed earlier to try to get more sleep at night, and eliminating alcohol and caffeine consumption.

You doctor can also prescribe various drugs to treat hypersomnia. These may include:

• Stimulants, such as Ritalin or Provigil
• Antidepressants, such as Prozac
• Xyrem (used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy)

Reviewed by The Sleep Medicine Center at The Cleveland Clinic.