Sodium Oxybate

Excerpt

Sodium oxybate is a medication that helps manage and treat narcolepsy with cataplexy or excessive daytime sleepiness. The medication belongs to the central nervous system (CNS) depressant class of drugs. This discussion focuses on the indications, administration, contraindications, and precautions of sodium oxybate. The mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, adverse drug reactions, monitoring strategies, drug-drug interactions, and clinical toxicology are reviewed. The essential role of the interprofessional healthcare team in managing narcolepsy with sodium oxybate is highlighted, with alternatives also presented.