Xyrem can slow or stop your breathing, even at regular doses or if you are also taking stimulant medicines.
Misuse of Xyrem can cause breathing problems, seizure, loss of consciousness, or death. Xyrem is available only from a certified pharmacy. Do not allow anyone else to use your medication.
Fatal side effects can occur if you use this medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.
Avoid taking other medicines that make you sleepy or slow your breathing. This includes cold or allergy medicine, opioid pain medicine, sedatives, muscle relaxants, seizure medicine, or medicine for depression, anxiety, or mental illness. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you need to use any of these other medicines.
Because of the potential for abuse and the serious side effects that may occur, Xyrem is available only from a certified pharmacy. Do not allow anyone else to use your medication.
Before taking this medicine
Do not drink alcohol or take other sleep medicines together with Xyrem. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.
Do not give Xyrem to anyone who has a rare metabolic disorder called succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (which can cause mental or physical impairment).
To make sure Xyrem is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
a breathing disorder such as asthma, emphysema, or bronchitis;
snoring, or sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);
depression or suicidal thoughts;
mental illness or unusual behaviors (anxiety, agitation, paranoia, aggression, hallucinations);
a drug or alcohol addiction;
kidney or liver disease;
heart failure;
if you are on a low-salt diet; or
if you also take divalproex sodium (Depakote).
You may need to be on a low-salt diet while you are using Xyrem, especially if you have high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How should I take Xyrem?
Take Xyrem exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Xyrem can slow or stop your breathing, even at regular doses or if you are also taking stimulant medicine.
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.
Do not allow anyone else to use this medicine.
Take Xyrem at least 2 hours after a meal. It is important to take your dose at the same time each night.
Xyrem must be taken at bedtime and again 2.5 to 4 hours later. This medicine works very fast and should be taken while you are sitting in bed ready for sleep. Prepare both doses while you are getting ready for bed. Place the second dose next to your bed so you can take it without getting up. You will most likely need to set an alarm to awaken for the second dose.
Each dose of Xyrem must be mixed with two ounces (one quarter cup) of water in the child-resistant dosing cups provided with the medication. Both doses must be used within the same night. Throw away any dose that has been mixed with water but not used within 24 hours of mixing.
Do not stop using Xyrem suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.
Your doctor will need to check your progress every 3 months.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.
Do not keep leftover Xyrem liquid. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, pour any unused liquid medicine down a sink drain.
