Treatment for persistent daytime sleepiness begins with identifying its cause. Depending on the diagnosis, a healthcare professional may recommend changes to sleep habits, assessment for a sleep disorder, treatment of an underlying condition, or prescription medication.
When modafinil is appropriate, it should be used according to the prescriber's instructions. Patients should not increase the amount they take or change their treatment based on online product descriptions.
It is also important to continue recommended treatment for an underlying condition. For example, modafinil does not replace CPAP for obstructive sleep apnoea.
If sleepiness continues despite treatment, a follow-up assessment can help determine whether the underlying condition, sleep schedule, or treatment plan needs to be reviewed.
