pharmacologic agents

List two pharmacologic agents and their dosing that would be appropriate for the patient’s sleep/wake therapy based on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. From a mechanism of action perspective, provide a rationale for why you might choose one agent over the other.

            The two pharmacologic agents that would be appropriate for the patient include:

  1. modafinil 
  2. Mirapex

Modafinil is a wake-promoting agent approved for the treatment of excessive sleepiness associated with shift work disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and narcolepsy (Stahl, 2014). This drug would be helpful for patient in controlling her problem of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that is causing her issues of snoring. The current dose of modafinil prescribed to the patient is 400 mg/day. This dose is the full dose. However, I would not prescribe full dose to the patient considering her age and possible side effects of the medicine at full dose. 

            Mirapex is prescribed for treatment of restless legs syndrome and Parkinson’s disease. The medicine can improve symptoms of restless legs syndrome and Parkinson’s disease and can improve sleep (Stahl, 2014). The medicine should be started at lowest dose (0.125 mg) and increased necessary every 5 to 7 days until symptoms are controlled (Stahl, 2014). Therefore, for the treatment of RLS, Mirapex would be prescribed to the patient.