Has anyone died from Xyrem?
One death appears associated with Xyrem abuse, with extremely high postmortem blood GHB levels documented. Although postmortem blood GHB levels in two other deaths are consistent with therapeutic levels, cause and effect cannot be established.
Can Xyrem cause psychosis?
Xyrem is usually well tolerated, but both psychosis and depression are described as possible adverse effects of this drug (6, 24–26).
What are the long term effects of Xyrem?
Respiratory Depression and Sleep-Disordered Breathing XYREM may impair respiratory drive, especially in patients with compromised respiratory function. In overdoses, life-threatening respiratory depression has been reported.
Can Xyrem cause tachycardia?
Signs and symptoms of GHB withdrawal following abrupt discontinuation included insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, psychosis, lethargy, nausea, tremor, sweating, muscle cramps, tachycardia, headache, dizziness, rebound fatigue and sleepiness, confusion, and, particularly in the case of severe withdrawal, visual …
Who should not take Xyrem?
Follow the updated information in the Xyrem drug labeling (PDF – 566KB). Xyrem should be used cautiously, if at all, in patients with respiratory issues such as sleep apnea or COPD because of the risk of respiratory depression.
Can Xyrem be used for insomnia?
Can Xyrem be used to treat insomnia? No, Xyrem isn’t approved to treat insomnia (trouble sleeping). Xyrem is only approved to treat narcolepsy (a sleep disorder that can make you feel extremely sleep). The drug works by reducing cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness or paralysis) and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).
What does Xyrem do to the body?
Xyrem contains the drug sodium oxybate, which belongs to a class of medications called central nervous system (CNS) depressants. It works by increasing the amount of time that your body spends in a deep sleep when you’re resting. This helps to decrease sleepiness when you’re not at rest.
Does Xyrem cause depression?
Even at recommended doses, Xyrem can cause confusion, depression, and other neuropsychiatric events. Important CNS adverse events caused by abuse of GHB include seizures, respiratory depression, and profound decreases in level of consciousness, sometimes leading to coma and death.
Does Xyrem cause anxiety?
It’s possible to have anxiety while you’re taking Xyrem. Symptoms of anxiety may include feeling nervous, panicking, or having an increased heart rate. Anxiety did occur in some people during Xyrem clinical trials, but it was a rare side effect.
How effective is Xyrem?
Four studies in 707 adults have shown that Xyrem was more effective than placebo (a dummy treatment) in reducing symptoms. In the first study, a daily dose of 9 g reduced the number of cataplexy attacks by 16.1 (from 23.5 to 7.4) per week, compared with a fall of 4.3 per week in the patients taking placebo.
How long does Xyrem stay in your system?
The dosage amount and frequency of use will also make an impact. About 95% of this Xyrem is metabolized by the liver, and it has a half-life of about 30-60 minutes. This takes on average, 1.83-5.5 hours, depending on the dose, to completely eliminate the drug from the body.
Can you drink alcohol on Xyrem?
Patients taking Xyrem should not drink alcohol or take insomnia drugs. The use of Xyrem along with these products or other CNS depressants increases the risk of breathing problems that may lead to loss of consciousness, coma, and death.
Does Xyrem cause weight loss?
Weight loss is found among people who take Xyrem, especially for people who are female, 30-39 old , have been taking the drug for < 1 month, also take medication Adderall , and have Depression.
Can Xyrem cause addiction?
Xyrem may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Can Xyrem cause depression?
Even at recommended doses, Xyrem can cause confusion, depression, and other neuropsychiatric events. Important CNS adverse events caused by abuse of GHB include seizures, respiratory depression, and profound decreases in level of consciousness, sometimes leading to coma and death.
Can Xyrem cause nausea?
XYREM contains a lot of sodium (salt) and may not be right for you or your child. The most common side effects of XYREM include nausea, sleepiness, dizziness, vomiting, bedwetting, and tremor (in adults). In pediatric patients, headache, decreased appetite, and weight decrease were also common.