Document Detail


Sodium oxybate: efficacy, safety and tolerability in the treatment of narcolepsy with or without cataplexy.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18536781     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Sodium oxybate is the sodium salt of gamma- hydroxybutyrate, an endogenous cerebral inhibitory neurotransmitter. It is licensed in the United States for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy and in the European Union for the treatment of narcolepsy with cataplexy. Its mode of action is uncertain, but it increases 5-hydroxytryptamine turnover, interacts with opioid systems and may act as a gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor agonist (GABA(B)). It is rapidly absorbed and eliminated, having a mean elimination half-life of 30-60 minutes. In controlled trials in narcolepsy without cataplexy, it decreased excessive daytime sleepiness and increased several quality of life domains. In combination with modafinil, it exerted an additive effect in diminishing daytime sleepiness. Both acute (four to eight weeks) and chronic (12 months) studies have demonstrated sodium oxybate's efficacy in decreasing cataplectic attack frequency. It is well tolerated with adverse event withdrawal rates of approximately 3-10% after acute and chronic administration. There is no clear evidence of a withdrawal syndrome after abrupt cessation of therapeutic doses. Sodium oxybate appears to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for all the key symptoms of the two forms of narcolepsy.
Authors:
Richard T Owen
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Drugs of today (Barcelona, Spain : 1998)     Volume:  44     ISSN:  1699-3993     ISO Abbreviation:  Drugs Today     Publication Date:  2008 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-06-09     Completed Date:  2008-06-30     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101160518     Medline TA:  Drugs Today (Barc)     Country:  Spain    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  197-204     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Medical Information Department, Prous Science, Barcelona, Spain. journals@prous.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adjuvants, Anesthesia / adverse effects*,  pharmacokinetics,  pharmacology,  therapeutic use*
Drug Interactions
Humans
Narcolepsy / drug therapy*
Sodium Oxybate / adverse effects*,  pharmacokinetics,  pharmacology,  therapeutic use*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Adjuvants, Anesthesia; 502-85-2/Sodium Oxybate

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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