sodium oxybate at a glance
Medicine class
Central nervous system depressant; the sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
Licensed use
Narcolepsy with cataplexy in adults, adolescents and children from 7 years of age.
Administration
Night-time oral liquid measured with the supplied syringe, diluted with water and taken while in bed.
Food and alcohol
Take consistently on an empty stomach as instructed. Avoid alcohol.
What is sodium oxybate used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Narcolepsy with cataplexy in adults.
Narcolepsy with cataplexy in adolescents and children from 7 years of age.
How does sodium oxybate work?
Sodium oxybate depresses central nervous system activity and changes sleep architecture. Its precise mechanism is uncertain, but it promotes slow-wave sleep and consolidates fragmented night-time sleep, helping reduce cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness.
sodium oxybate preparations and strengths
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 500 mg/mL
How to take sodium oxybate
Use sodium oxybate exactly as demonstrated by the specialist team. Measure it only with the supplied syringe, transfer it to the child-resistant dosing cup and dilute with water. Take it while sitting in bed, then lie down immediately. Keep prepared cups secured and out of children’s reach; do not mix the solution with other medicines.
Take consistently in relation to meals because food reduces and delays absorption.
Do not drink alcohol.
Do not repeat it if you are uncertain whether it was taken.
Avoid driving or hazardous work until fully alert and the required waiting period has passed.
sodium oxybate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea, dizziness or headache
- Vomiting, diarrhoea or upper abdominal pain
- Reduced appetite or weight loss
- Sleepiness, fatigue or feeling intoxicated
- Anxiety, depression, confusion or abnormal dreams
- Bedwetting or urinary incontinence
- Blurred vision, sweating or rash
- Sleepwalking, balance problems or falls
Get urgent medical advice
- Slow or difficult breathing, sleep apnoea or choking during sleep
- Seizure, loss of consciousness or inability to wake
- Suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide
- Psychosis, hallucinations, paranoia or severe behavioural change
- Swelling of the face or throat or another severe allergic reaction
sodium oxybate in pregnancy
Sodium oxybate is not recommended during pregnancy because human evidence is limited and early-pregnancy data suggest a possible increased miscarriage risk. Anyone planning pregnancy or becoming pregnant should promptly contact their narcolepsy specialist or prescriber and should not alter treatment without advice.
sodium oxybate while breastfeeding
Sodium oxybate and/or its metabolites enter breast milk, and altered sleep patterns have been reported in exposed infants. The selected product should not be used while breastfeeding; discuss feeding and treatment options with the specialist team.
sodium oxybate interactions
Check all prescribed, non-prescription and recreational substances with the specialist or pharmacist. Important interactions include:
Alcohol
Can markedly increase sedation and respiratory depression and must be avoided.
Opioids
Concurrent treatment is contraindicated because of potentially dangerous central nervous system and respiratory depression.
Barbiturates
Concurrent treatment is contraindicated because sedative and respiratory-depressant effects may be amplified.
Benzodiazepines and sedative hypnotics
Should be avoided because combined sedation may impair consciousness and breathing.
Common questions about sodium oxybate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does sodium oxybate cure narcolepsy?
No. It controls symptoms such as cataplexy, disrupted night-time sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness but does not cure the underlying condition.
Why must sodium oxybate be taken away from food?
Food, particularly a high-fat meal, delays absorption and reduces the amount reaching the bloodstream. Taking it consistently as instructed helps produce a predictable effect.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.