Sodium Oxybate
Cataplexy, Narcolepsy, Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Treatment
9 Active Studies for Sodium Oxybate
Treatment for
Cataplexy
What is Sodium Oxybate
Sodium oxybate
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Sodium 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.
Xyrem
is 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 Patients
Sodium 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 body
Sodium 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
, Solution, Solution - Oral, Oral
Idiopathic Hypersomnia
, 500.0 mg/mL
, Solution, Solution - Oral, Oral
Cataplexy
, 500.0 mg/mL
, Solution, Solution - Oral, 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 Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase
Do Not Combine
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Sodium Oxybate.
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 Risk
The 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 4, Phase 3, Phase 1, Phase 2
Narcolepsy
2 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1
Sodium Oxybate Reviews: What are patients saying about Sodium Oxybate?
5
Patient Review
1/10/2011
Sodium Oxybate for Muscle Weakness associated with Sleeping Disease
5
Patient Review
4/14/2014
Sodium Oxybate for Muscle Weakness associated with Sleeping Disease
3.7
Patient Review
1/24/2013
Sodium Oxybate for Muscle Weakness associated with Sleeping Disease
3
Patient Review
3/16/2010
Sodium Oxybate for Osteoporosis
3
Patient Review
3/13/2011
Sodium Oxybate for Muscle Weakness associated with Sleeping Disease
3
Patient Review
1/27/2013
Sodium Oxybate for Recurring Sleep Episodes During the Day
3
Patient Review
4/7/2013
Sodium Oxybate for Muscle Weakness associated with Sleeping Disease
3
Patient Review
8/30/2016
Sodium Oxybate for Recurring Sleep Episodes During the Day
1
Patient Review
8/21/2010
Sodium Oxybate for Recurring Sleep Episodes During the Day
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