|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (SOW
dee um ox i
BATE) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Xyrem® |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
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. |
|
|
| 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 1/4
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
21/2
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? |
|
|
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 pain medicine.
You may not be alert. Do not drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or
perform any activity that is dangerous or that requires mental alertness 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.
are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. |
|
|
| What are the common 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. Mild pain medicine may help.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
Bedwetting. |
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
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 |
|
|
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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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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