Sodium Oxybate



Xyrem®







Sodium Oxybate

(SOW dee um ox i BATE)

U.S. Brand Names
Xyrem®
Pharmacologic Category
Central Nervous System Depressant
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • This medicine may be habit-forming. Make sure that you understand this medicine, what it is used for, how to use it, and when to go back to healthcare provider.
  • Please read the medication guide given to you.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 16 years of age.
  • If you have an allergy to sodium oxybate or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency.
  • If you are on a low-salt or salt-free diet.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat cataplexy (sudden emotional shock with loss of muscle tone) in patients with narcolepsy.
How does it work?
  • Sodium oxybate helps to decrease weakness.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this medicine on an empty stomach.
  • Keep the same amount of time between the last food of the day and the first dose.
  • Take two doses each night.
  • Take this medicine at a similar time every night.
  • Prepare each dose before going to bed.
  • Mix liquid with cup of water.
  • Place in child-resistant dosing cups on bedside table.
  • Take first dose at bedtime after getting into bed.
  • Separate doses by at least 2 to 4 hours.
  • Set alarm clock to wake up for second dose.
  • Stay in bed after taking doses.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • If you miss the second dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities for at least 6 hours after taking.
  • This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
  • If you have drug or alcohol addiction, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have mental illness or thoughts of suicide, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have lung disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Bedwetting.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Sleepwalking.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
  • Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
  • Read the package insert for more details.
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