New Drug Outperforms Caffeine in Fighting Daytime Sleepiness.
Solriamfetol, a prescription drug, has emerged as a promising alternative to caffeine for promoting alertness, particularly in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS). Unlike caffeine, which inhibits adenosine receptors, solriamfetol increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine – neurotransmitters linked to wakefulness. Solriamfetol maintains wakefulness for as long as nine hours, requiring less frequent dosing and minimizing sleep disruption risk. However, it can cause side effects such as headache, nausea, and decreased appetite, and carries a risk of abuse and dependency.