Sodium oxybate and sleep apnea: a clinical case

J Clin Sleep Med. 2011 Dec 15;7(6):667-8. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.1480.

Abstract

Sodium oxybate (GHB, Xyrem, Jazz Pharmaceuticals) is used to treat cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy. We report the case of a middle aged, normo-ponderal narcoleptic woman without risk factors who developed reversible sleep apnea and objective sleepiness when treated by sodium oxybate, with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 19.7 on sodium oxybate and AHI 4.8 without treatment. Despite a subjective improvement in vigilance, mean sleep latency on MWT decreased from 21 minutes to 8 minutes on sodium oxybate.

Keywords: Narcolepsy with cataplexy; periodic leg movements; sleep apnea; sodium oxybate.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cataplexy / complications
  • Cataplexy / diagnosis
  • Cataplexy / drug therapy*
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / adverse effects
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / therapeutic use
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Narcolepsy / complications
  • Narcolepsy / diagnosis
  • Narcolepsy / drug therapy*
  • Nocturnal Myoclonus Syndrome / complications
  • Nocturnal Myoclonus Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Nocturnal Myoclonus Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Polysomnography / methods
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / chemically induced*
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Sodium Oxybate / adverse effects*
  • Sodium Oxybate / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Sodium Oxybate