What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Depression
-Diet low in salt
-Frequently drink alcohol
-Heart disease
-High blood pressure
-History of substance use disorder
-Kidney disease
-Liver disease
-Lung or breathing disease, such as asthma or COPD
-Mental health conditions
-Sleep apnea
-Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency
-Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt
-An unusual or allergic reaction to sodium oxybate, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breastfeeding
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Alcohol
-Medications that help you fall asleep
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepam, or lorazepam
-Certain antihistamines
-Certain medications for depression, such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline, or trazodone
-Certain medications for seizures such as divalproex sodium, phenobarbital, primidone, valproic acid
-Medications that cause drowsiness before a procedure, such as propofol
-Medications that relax muscles
-Opioids for pain or cough
-Phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. This medication has a risk of abuse and dependence. Your care team will check you for this while you take this medication.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not engage in activities that require mental alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, for at least 6 hours after taking this medication. You may fall asleep quickly after taking this medication. Remain in bed and do not attempt to sit or stand up. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
You may do unusual sleep behaviors or activities you do not remember the day after taking this medication. Activities include driving, making or eating food, talking on the phone, sexual activity, or sleep walking. Stop taking this medication and call your care team right away if you find out you have done activities like this.
This medication may cause thoughts of suicide or depression. This includes sudden changes in mood, behaviors, or thoughts. These changes can happen at any time but are more common in the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose. Call your care team right away if you experience these thoughts or worsening depression.
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
Misuse of this medicine can cause addiction or overdose. Take it exactly as prescribed. Store it in a safe place to prevent stealing or abuse. It is illegal to sell it or give it away.
This drug is a CNS depressant. It can cause deadly breathing problems. It can also cause drowsiness. Do not drive a car, use heavy machinery, or do other activities where you need to be fully awake for at least 6 hours after you take a dose. This risk is greatest when you first start taking it. The risk is also high if you take other drugs that cause drowsiness like narcotic pain drugs, narcotic cough drugs, benzodiazepines, other drugs for sleep, and muscle relaxants. Do not drink alcohol. Tell your health care provider about all the drugs you take, including over-the-counter drugs and vitamins. Get emergency help right away if you have trouble breathing or are unusually tired or sleepy.