Can a wakefulness drug beat daytime sleepiness in Prader-Willi syndrome?
NCT ID NCT04257929
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 study tested whether pitolisant, a drug that promotes wakefulness, can safely reduce excessive daytime sleepiness in people with Prader-Willi syndrome. The trial enrolled 65 participants aged 6 to 65 and compared pitolisant to a placebo over 11 weeks, followed by an open-label extension. The main goal was to see if pitolisant improves sleepiness scores based on caregiver reports.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- pitolisant (oral tablet)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a new option to help people with Prader-Willi syndrome stay awake and alert during the day.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase study with only 65 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The drug may not work better than a placebo, and side effects are possible.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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65 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2020
- Finished
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Jan 2026
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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6 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Is able to provide voluntary, written informed consent (patient or parent\[s\]/legal guardian\[s\]) and, where applicable, voluntary, written assent (patient, as appropriate). 2. Has a diagnosis of PWS confirmed by genetic testing and/or patient medical records. Genetic testing will be provided by the Sponsor, if not confirmed based on the review of the patient's medical records. 3. Male or female patients ages 6 to 65 years at the time of enrollment. 4. Demonstrates adequate sleep duration via patient sleep diary during Screening, defined as at least 8 hours of sleep per night for patients ages 6 to \<12 years, at least 7 hours for patients ages 12 to \<18 years, or at least 6 hours for patients ages ≥18 years, based on the mean number of hours from up to 14 nights (at least 7 nights must be recorded for evaluation). 5. Has EDS as determined by Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (ESS-CHAD) (parent/caregiver version) score of ≥12. 6. If taking hormone treatments (including growth hormone, testosterone, and estrogen supplements) and/or allowed chronic concomitant medication or supplements, patient must be on a stable dose of these medications for 3 months prior to randomization and for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study; a 10% variability in hormone dose is allowed. 7. If taking a wake-promoting treatment that could affect EDS (including stimulants, modafinil, and armodafinil), must be on a stable dose for at least 28 days prior to Screening and remain on a stable dose during the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study (dose adjustments will be permitted in the OLE Phase) or agree to wash out of treatment for 5 half-lives or 14 days, whichever is longer. 8. If taking a chronically administered sedating medication for management of behavioral manifestations (e.g., hypnotics, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, alpha agonists, anticholinergics, and antidepressants) must be on a stable dose for at least 28 days prior to Screening and remain on a stable dose during the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study (dose adjustments will be permitted in the OLE Phase) or agree to wash out of treatment for 5 half-lives or 14 days, whichever is longer. 9. If using cannabidiol and/or tetrahydrocannabinol, patient must be on a stable dose for 28 days prior to randomization and agree to continue the stable dose for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study (dose adjustments will be permitted in the OLE Phase). 10. If taking oxytocin or carbetocin, patient must be on a stable dose during the 28 days prior to randomization and agree to continue the stable dose for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study (dose adjustments will be permitted in the OLE Phase) or agree to wash out of treatment for 5 half-lives or 14 days, whichever is longer. 11. A patient who is a female of child-bearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative serum pregnancy test at the Screening Visit and a negative urine pregnancy test at the Baseline Visit and agree to remain abstinent or use an effective method of nonhormonal contraception to prevent pregnancy for the duration of the study and for 21 days after final dose of study drug. 12. Has a consistent caregiver (preferably the same person throughout the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study) who is willing and able to complete the required assessments. 13. In the opinion of the Investigator, patient/parent(s)/legal guardian(s) is capable of understanding and complying with the requirements of the protocol and administration of oral study drug. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Has a diagnosis of another genetic or chromosomal disorder distinct from PWS. 2. Has untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or is at high risk for OSA based on medical history and clinical assessment; or, has another relevant underlying sleep disorder that in the opinion of the Investigator is the primary contributing factor to the patient's EDS. 3. Consistently consumes \>600 mg of caffeine per day and is unable/unwilling to reduce caffeine intake to \<600 mg per day for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study; caffeine intake should remain consistent during Screening and throughout the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study. 4. Does not agree to discontinue any prohibited medication or substance listed in the protocol. 5. Participation in an interventional research study involving another investigational medication or device in the 28 days prior to enrollment and for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study, unless the Investigator consults with the Medical Monitor and obtains written approval for the patient to enroll; patients who complete a washout of an investigational medication of at least 5 half-lives or 14 days (whichever is longer) may be enrolled in the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study. Patients considering participation in another interventional research study in the OLE Phase must consult with the Investigator who will consult with the Medical Monitor. 6. Has a primary psychiatric diagnosis with current active symptoms of psychosis or schizophrenia. 7. Has a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate \[eGFR\] of \<15 mL/minute/1.73 m²) or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C). 8. Has a diagnosis of moderate or severe renal impairment (eGFR ≥15 to ≤59 mL/minute/1.73 m²) or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B) at Screening or during the Double-Blind Treatment Phase. 9. Has abnormal laboratory values at Screening that are clinically significant as determined by the Investigator. 10. Has a known history of long QT syndrome or any significant history of a serious abnormality of the electrocardiogram (ECG; e.g., recent myocardial infarction, clinically significant arrhythmia) or QT interval corrected for heart rate according to Fridericia's formula (QTcF) \>442 ms for patients ages 0 to \<10 years and \>439 ms for patients ages 10 to \<20 years, regardless of gender, and \>450 ms for male patients and \>470 ms for female patients ages 20 to 65 years. (ECG QTcF = QT/3√ RR) (Mason et al 2007). 11. Has a family history of sudden/unexplained death, cardiac death, or death from a primary dysrhythmia potentially associated with QT prolongation in any family member. 12. If receiving any new or initiating a change in allied health therapies or interventions for symptoms of PWS, must be on a stable course of therapy for at least 28 days prior to randomization. 13. Has a current or recent (within one year) history of a substance use disorder or dependence disorder, including alcohol and caffeine use disorders as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V). 14. Has planned surgery during the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study; planned surgery is permitted during the OLE Phase. 15. Is receiving a concomitant medication that is known to be a strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 inhibitor, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, or a centrally acting histamine 1 (H1) receptor antagonist; patients who complete a washout of these medications of at least 5 half-lives or 14 days (whichever is longer) can be enrolled in the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study. Use of strong CYP2D6 inhibitors and strong CYP3A4 inducers is allowed during the OLE Phase; however, adjustment of pitolisant dose is required. Although not prohibited during the OLE Phase of the study, use of H1 receptor antagonists should be avoided. 16. Is receiving a medication known to prolong the QT interval. 17. Has a significant risk of committing suicide based on history, routine psychiatric examination, Investigator's judgment, or an answer of "yes" on any question other than questions 1 to 3 on the Very Young Child/Cognitively Impaired-Lifetime Recent Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C SSRS). 18. Has a history of seizures that have recently (within 6 months) been treated with antiepileptic medications that are strong CYP3A4 inducers. Patients with a history of seizures must have a stable seizure history (e.g., frequency and severity) for at least 6 months prior to enrollment. 19. Is currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed over the course of the study. Lactating women must agree not to breastfeed for the duration of the study (Double-Blind Treatment Phase and OLE Phase) and for 21 days after final dose of study drug. 20. Based on the judgment of the Investigator, patient is unsuitable for the study for any reason, including but not limited to unstable or uncontrolled medical conditions (including psychiatric and neurological conditions) or a medical condition that might interfere with the conduct of the study, confound interpretation of study results, pose a health risk to the patient, or compromise the integrity of the study.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Ann and Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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CTI
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45212, United States
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Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States
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Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States
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Nemours Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children
Wilmington, Delaware, 19803, United States
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Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego
San Diego, California, 92123, United States
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Road Runner Research
San Antonio, Texas, 78249, United States
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Santa Monica Clinical Trials
Santa Monica, California, 90404, United States
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Sleep Medicine Specialists of California
San Ramon, California, 94583, United States
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Texas Children's Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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University of Florida College of Medicine
Gainesville, Florida, 32608, United States
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University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska, 68114, United States
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, 37203, United States
More trials for these conditions
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- New group therapy aims to tame meltdowns in Prader-Willi teens
- CBDV study for Prader-Willi syndrome halted early