Abstract
Sodium oxybate (brand name Xyrem) is a sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), an endogenous CNS depressant, which is an effective treatment of narcolepsy. As a drug of abuse, GHB produces severe psychiatric side effects and withdrawal. However, there are no reports of these effects when using clinically recommended doses. This paper presents a case of a patient who developed altered mental status while taking the recommended dose of sodium oxybate and subsequently became psychotic upon abrupt discontinuation of the medication. It is important for prescribers of sodium oxybate to be aware of the possibility of significant psychiatric side effects of this medication, as well as withdrawal symptoms, even at clinical doses.
Highlights
Sodium oxybate is a sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), an endogenous CNS depressant, which is an effective treatment of narcolepsy
Sodium oxybate (SO; brand name, Xyrem) is the sodium salt of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), an endogenous fatty acid that is the precursor of GABA and found throughout the CNS.[1]
The current paper presents a patient with narcolepsy who experienced severe behavioral side effects while taking SO and withdrawal after its abrupt cessation
Summary
Sodium oxybate (brand name Xyrem) is a sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), an endogenous CNS depressant, which is an effective treatment of narcolepsy. The current paper presents a patient with narcolepsy who experienced severe behavioral side effects while taking SO and withdrawal after its abrupt cessation.
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