What is a Generic Drug?
A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, consumption method, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug and works in the same way and in the same amount of time in the body.
The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (eg. different shape or color), as trademarks laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.
Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to develop a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.
Wakix (Pitolisant)
Prescription Required
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Product Details
Description
Wakix is a drug used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in people with narcolepsy. People with narcolepsy fall asleep at inappropriate times throughout the day. People with narcolepsy have excessive drowsiness and trouble staying awake during the day.
Wakix is a histamine-3 (H3) receptor antagonist and inverse agonist. Histamine is associated with sleepiness, so by blocking histamine receptors, Wakix helps to keep people awake.
Directions
Take Wakix once daily in the morning when waking up. There is a specific titration schedule that your doctor will follow:
- 8.9 mg once daily during week 1
- 17.8 mg once daily during week 2
- 35.6 mg once daily during week 3; this is the maximum dose
Ingredients
The active ingredient is pitolisant.
Interactions
There are many potential drug-drug interactions with this medication, including
- Apalutamide
- Ajmaline
- Antihistamines
- Artemether and Lumefantrine
- Benzodiazepines
- Budesonide
- Bupropion
- Calcium Channel Blockers
- Carbamazepine
- Carbamazepine
- Corticosteroids
- Dacomitinib
- Enzalutamide
- Etoposide
- Fluoxetine
- Fosphenytoin
- Haloperidol
- Hormonal Contraceptives
- Immunosuppressives
- Levoketoconazole
- Lumacaftor
- Lumacaftor-ivacaftor
- Macrolide antibiotics
- Mirtazapine
- Miscellaneous
- Mitotane
- Paroxetine
- Peginterferon Alfa-2b
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Primidone
- Promethazine
- QT-prolonging Agents
- Quinidine
- Rifampin (rifampicin)
- Statins
- Steroids
- Tipranavir
Cautions
Tell your doctor about kidney or liver problems before starting this drug. The dosage may need to be adjusted.
Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart arrhythmia, specifically QT-prolongation, or if you take QT-prolonging drugs.
Side Effects
Common side effects may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Abnormal behavior
- Abnormal dreams
- Anaphylaxis
- Anxiety
- Bipolar mood disorder
- Cataplexy
- Decreased appetite
- Depressed mood
- Depression
- Epilepsy
- Fatigue
- Hallucination
- Headache
- Hypersensitivity reaction
- Increased heart rate
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Lack of emotion
- Migraine
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Nausea
- Nightmares
- Prolonged QT interval on ECG
- Pruritus
- Skin rash
- Sleep disorder
- Sleep disturbance
- Sleep paralysis
- Sleep talking
- Suicidal ideation
- Suicidal tendencies
- Tachycardia
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Weight gain
- Xerostomia
References
Wakix [package insert]. Plymouth Meeting, PA: Bioprojet Pharma; 2019.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.Product Code : 13797
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