Role of pharmacists in the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness

The focus of this case is a 78-year-old female who is being referred to an assisted living community following several episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). EDS in the geriatric patient is widespread and is often underdiagnosed and inadequately treated. It can affect an older patient's quality of life, as well as increasing physical, psychological, cognitive, and mortality risks. There are many different etiologies for EDS including coexisting medical conditions, circadian misalignment, medications affecting the sleep/wake cycle, and psychiatric or psychosocial circumstances. This case illustrates how the pharmacist can help patients with EDS by recognizing symptoms; performing a targeted medical history, sleep history, and medication review; and offering screening with validated tools to refer patients to sleep specialists. There are both pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment options. The consultant pharmacist is a vital member of the interprofessional health care team and can play a major role in the education, monitoring, and management of EDS.