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What is Sodium Oxybate
Sodium oxybateThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummarySodium oxybate (Xyrem) is a drug used to treat cataplexy and extreme daytime sleepiness caused by narcolepsy. It is a form of the neurotransmitter GABA and how it works to treat these conditions is not fully understood. Xyrem has a complex way of being absorbed by the body and is tightly regulated due to its potential for misuse. All patients and prescribers must enroll in a special program to gain access to the medication.
Xyremis the brand name
Sodium Oxybate Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Xyrem
Sodium oxybate
2002
3
Effectiveness
How Sodium Oxybate Affects PatientsSodium oxybate helps people stay awake during the day, improves sleep at night, and lessens cataplexy. It works by increasing the time spent in deeper, more restful sleep stages and decreases time spent in lighter stages of sleep, resulting in better quality sleep. However, sodium oxybate is a depressant that can cause significant respiratory problems and is linked to addiction, withdrawal, and overdoses. It increases dopamine and serotonin levels, and stimulates growth hormone release which can lead to misuse as a bodybuilding supplement. In narcolepsy patients, sodium oxybate increases growth hormone secretion during the night.
How Sodium Oxybate works in the bodySodium oxybate works by releasing gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) into the body. At lower doses, GHB binds to receptors that stimulate the release of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that causes excitement. At higher doses, GHB stimulates the release of GABA, which modulates GABA receptors. This helps regulate sleep-wake cycles, attention, and vigilance.
When to interrupt dosage
The proposed dose of Sodium Oxybate is contingent on the diagnosed disorder, including Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Narcolepsy and Cataplexy. The quantity of dosage fluctuates as indicated by the technique of administration detailed in the table beneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Narcolepsy
, 500.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral
Idiopathic Hypersomnia
, 500.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral
Cataplexy
, 500.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral
Warnings
Sodium Oxybate has five identified contraindications and its utilization should be avoided in the presence of any of the conditions listed in the following table.Sodium Oxybate ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase
Do Not Combine
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Common Sodium Oxybate Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Azelastine
Major
Sodium oxybate may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.
Ethanol
Major
Sodium oxybate may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Ethanol.
Oliceridine
Major
The risk or severity of hypotension, sedation, death, somnolence, and respiratory depression can be increased when Sodium oxybate is combined with Oliceridine.
Thalidomide
Major
Sodium oxybate may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Thalidomide.
Daridorexant
Minor
The risk or severity of CNS depression can be increased when Sodium oxybate is combined with Daridorexant.
Sodium Oxybate Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe lowest toxic dose of GHB in rats is 9690 mg/kg. Overdosing on GHB can cause confusion, agitation, clumsiness, sweating, headaches, and blurred vision. Symptoms may worsen with higher doses, leading to deeper levels of unconsciousness, seizures, and even death. If a person has taken other drugs with GHB, it can cause them to become unresponsive with occasional pauses in breathing and loss of bladder and bowel control. There is no known antidote for GHB, so treatment involves helping the person with general supportive care and possibly giving them medicine to help with the effects of any other drugs they may
Sodium Oxybate Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Sodium Oxybate?
Currently, 17 active clinical trials are investigating the potential of Sodium Oxybate to reduce Cataplexy, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and provide relief from Narcolepsy symptoms.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Cataplexy
0 Actively Recruiting
Idiopathic Hypersomnia
7 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4, Not Applicable, Phase 1
Narcolepsy
2 Actively Recruiting
Phase 4
Sodium Oxybate Reviews: What are patients saying about Sodium Oxybate?
5Patient Review
1/10/2011 I would not recommend this medication to anyone. It caused me to be admitted to the ER four times and I had to stay in the ICU as a result.
5Patient Review
4/14/2014 Though I found this medication great for my narcolepsy, and it helped me sleep soundly for eight hours, I unfortunately had to stop taking it after a week due to a psychotic episode.
3.7Patient Review
1/24/2013 While this drug has alleviated my pain by a significant amount, I still have big troubles sleeping. As a result, fatigue is still severe.
3Patient Review
3/16/2010 This drug is a saving grace for those of us with fibromyalgia. I was struggling to get more than a few hours of sleep each night, but this medication has allowed me to get a full eight hours. It's been amazing.
3Patient Review
3/13/2011 This sleep medication is potent and effective, but I worry about it because it's easy to accidentally overdose.
3Patient Review
1/27/2013 I developed sleepwalking and had to be hospitalized after a severe fall. I've now lost the use of my right arm due to radial nerve paralysis. The outlook isn't great, but while I was on the medication it worked really well for me except for the side effect of sleepwalking.
3Patient Review
4/7/2013 This medication worked well for me at first, but then I developed tolerance. Now it's not as effective, and because of that it's become dangerous; I wander at night without knowing what I'm doing.
3Patient Review
8/30/2016 At first, this worked great. But after a while it just didn't seem as effective. The dosage was increased and I started having muscle twitches. I'm also not getting enough rest at night, so I'm exhausted during the day.
1Patient Review
8/21/2010 This treatment really helped me. I'm grateful for modern medicine.
Patient Q&A Section about sodium oxybate
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.Is sodium oxybate a sedative?
"Sodium oxybate is a very powerful drug used to treat cataplexy, a symptom of narcolepsy. It can also help with other symptoms of narcolepsy including excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep paralysis."
Answered by AI
Is sodium oxybate a stimulant?
"Sodium oxybate, which is the sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), has a depressing effect on the central nervous system. GHB is an endogenous metabolite of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)."
Answered by AI
What is sodium oxybate used for?
"Xyrem (sodium oxybate) is a prescription medicine that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat cataplexy (a condition where patients suddenly lose muscle tone, including voluntary muscle control, while awake) and excessive daytime sleepiness in ..."
Answered by AI
Is sodium oxybate a narcotic?
"Xyrem is a medication used to treat narcolepsy that works by depressing the central nervous system. When used for medical purposes, it is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance."
Answered by AI