Sodium oxybate 500mg/ml oral solution sugar free
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
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Legal requirements and restrictions
These are medicines with high potential for misuse but with accepted medical uses. Subject to the strictest controls.
Legal requirements
- Must be stored in a locked controlled drugs cabinet
- Pharmacy must keep a controlled drugs register
- Prescriptions valid for 28 days only
- Prescriptions must include specific details (dose, form, strength, total quantity)
- Cannot be emergency supplied by pharmacists
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Official documents, adverse reaction reporting, and safety monitoring
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MHRA alerts for Sodium oxybate
Safety monitoring data
Yellow Card reports
The MHRA Yellow Card scheme collects reports of suspected side effects from healthcare professionals and patients. View the Drug Analysis Profile (iDAP) for real-world adverse reaction data.
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Data from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. A reported reaction does not necessarily mean the medicine caused it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
EudraVigilance
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Sodium oxybate
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EudraVigilance data is published by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A suspected adverse reaction is not necessarily caused by the medicine.
6 branded products available
MHRA licensed products
View all licensed products for Sodium oxybate on the MHRA register
Xyrem 500mg/ml oral solution
Sodium oxybate 500mg/ml oral solution sugar free
Sodium oxybate 500mg/ml oral solution sugar free
Sodium oxybate 500mg/ml oral solution sugar free
This is the NHS Drug Tariff indicative price used for reimbursement purposes. It may not reflect the price paid by patients or pharmacies.
View full Drug TariffSource: NHS Drug Tariff via NHSBSA. Derived from dm+d VMPP (Virtual Medicinal Product Pack) pricing data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
WHO defined daily dose (DDD)
7.5 gram
Not a recommended dose. The DDD is the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults. It is a statistical measure used for research and comparison purposes only.
Source: WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, distributed via the NHS dm+d supplementary mapping files (NHSBSA). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity is based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and on a factual NHS dm+d therapeutic-grouping code prefix. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
NHS prescribing volume and spending trends
Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
NICE clinical guidance(2)
Solriamfetol for treating excessive daytime sleepiness caused by narcolepsy (TA758)
Narcolepsy with or without cataplexy in adults: pitolisant (ES8)
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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Supply & safety information
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Pharmacy links redirect to the retailer's own search and do not represent real-time stock levels. Shortage and safety information sourced from MHRA drug safety updates (gov.uk, Crown Copyright under OGL v3.0).
Codes for healthcare professionals and prescribing systems
These codes are used by healthcare IT systems and prescribers to identify this medicine.
NHS UK identifiers
Browse tools
SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Academic studies and reviews for this medicine's active substance
Showing the 50 most relevant studies.
Reviews & meta-analyses: 7 · Randomised trials: 18 · 2017–2026
Showing the 50 most relevant studies, sorted by most relevant.
Biso L, Spini A, Petragnano F, et al.
2025
- Alcoholism
- Sodium Oxybate
BackgroundWorldwide, three million deaths each year are reported due to the harmful use of alcohol. To date, only a few drugs have been approved for the treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of sodium oxybate (SMO) treatment in patients with AUD.MethodsWe followed the PRISMA statement guidelines and searched PubMed and ISI Web of Science to retrieve the studies of interest. In total, 13 studies on long-term (>12 weeks) SMO administration in patients with AUD were included in this systematic review, and 7 were included in the metaanalysis.ResultsOverall, the abstinence rate after 12 weeks of treatment was similar in the SMO and placebo groups, while it was significantly in favour of SMO compared to Naltrexone (NTX). The completion rate was similar in all three conditions. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) levels favoured SMO over NTX, while Alcohol Craving Scale (ACS) scores did not favour SMO. The incidence of adverse reactions varied widely between studies.ConclusionSMO in the chronic treatment of patients with AUD showed no superiority to placebo in our analysis of published RCTs, although many observational studies reported its beneficial effect in the long term. On the contrary, SMO was superior to NTX treatment on abstinence. The rate of study completion was similar in the three groups. Safety was not an issue in any of the studies included. Further studies are needed to better assess SMO efficacy and safety in the long term.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Amin AM, Hassan A, Khlidj Y, et al.
2024
- Narcolepsy
- Cataplexy
- Sodium Oxybate
Adina Arshad, Muhammad Abdul Muqtadir Qureshi, Muhammad Abdullah Masood, et al.
Sleep Medicine: X, 2025
Büchele F, Hackius M, Schreglmann SR, et al.
2018
- Parkinson Disease
- Sodium Oxybate
- Adjuvants, Anesthesia
Guiraud J, Addolorato G, Antonelli M, et al.
2022
- Alcoholism
- Sodium Oxybate
- Ethanol
BackgroundSodium oxybate (SMO) has been shown to be effective in the maintenance of abstinence (MoA) in alcohol-dependent patients in a series of small randomized controlled trials (RCTs). These results needed to be confirmed by a large trial investigating the treatment effect and its sustainability after medication discontinuation.AimsTo confirm the SMO effect on (sustained) MoA in detoxified alcohol-dependent patients.MethodsLarge double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in detoxified adult alcohol-dependent outpatients (80% men) from 11 sites in four European countries. Patients were randomized to 6 months SMO (3.3-3.9 g/day) or placebo followed by a 6-month medication-free period. Primary outcome was the cumulative abstinence duration (CAD) during the 6-month treatment period defined as the number of days with no alcohol use. Secondary outcomes included CAD during the 12-month study period.ResultsOf the 314 alcohol-dependent patients randomized, 154 received SMO and 160 received placebo. Based on the pre-specified fixed-effect two-way analysis of variance including the treatment-by-site interaction, SMO showed efficacy in CAD during the 6-month treatment period: mean difference +43.1 days, 95% confidence interval (17.6-68.5; p = 0.001). Since significant heterogeneity of effect across sites and unequal sample sizes among sites (n = 3-66) were identified, a site-level random meta-analysis was performed with results supporting the pre-specified analysis: mean difference +32.4 days, p = 0.014. The SMO effect was sustained during the medication-free follow-up period. SMO was well-tolerated.ConclusionsResults of this large RCT in alcohol-dependent patients demonstrated a significant and clinically relevant sustained effect of SMO on CAD.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04648423.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Dauvilliers Y, Chenini S, Thobois O, et al.
2025
- Sodium Oxybate
- Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Simonyan K, O'Flynn LC, Hamzehei Sichani A, et al.
2025
- Laryngeal Diseases
- Dystonic Disorders
- Sodium Oxybate
ObjectiveTo examine the efficacy and safety of sodium oxybate versus placebo in a phase IIb randomized double-blind placebo-controlled 2-period cross-over clinical trial in patients with isolated laryngeal dystonia (LD).MethodsThe study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2021, pausing during the COVID-19 pandemic, at Massachusetts Eye and Ear in 106 patients with alcohol-responsive (EtOH+) and alcohol-non-responsive (EtOH-) LD (53 to receive 1.5g of sodium oxybate first, 53 to receive matching placebo first). The primary outcome was a change from baseline in LD symptom severity 40 minutes after drug intake. Safety was based on vital signs, cognitive function, suicidality, daytime sleepiness, and adverse events. Patients, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked to study procedures.ResultsCompared to baseline, EtOH+ but not EtOH- patients had a statistically significant improvement in LD symptoms following sodium oxybate versus placebo (EtOH+: 98.75% confidence interval [CI] = 0.6-26.9; p = 0.008; EtOH-: 98.75% CI = -6.2 to 18.7; p = 0.42). Statistically significant minimum drug efficacy in EtOH+ patients was found at ≥16% symptom improvement (OR = 2.09; 98.75% CI = 0.75-5.80; p = 0.036), with an average of 40.81% benefits (98.75% CI = 34.7-48.6). Drug efficacy waned by 300 minutes after intake without a rebound. No changes were found in cognitive function, suicidality, or vital signs. Common adverse events included mild dizziness, nausea, and daytime sleepiness.InterpretationSodium oxybate showed clinically meaningful improvement of symptoms in EtOH+ LD patients, with acceptable tolerability. Sodium oxybate offers the first pathophysiologically relevant oral treatment for laryngeal dystonia. ANN NEUROL 2025;97:329-343.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC
Guiraud J, Addolorato G, Aubin HJ, et al.
2023
- Alcoholism
- Sodium Oxybate
- Ethanol
AimsThe estimated effect of sodium oxybate (SMO) in the treatment of alcohol dependence is heterogeneous. Population severity and treatment duration have been identified as potential effect modifiers. Population severity distinguishes heavy drinking patients with MethodsNetwork meta-regression allows for testing potential effect modifiers. It was selected to investigate the effect of the above factors on SMO efficacy defined as continuous abstinence (abstinence rate) and the percentage of days abstinent (PDA). Randomized controlled trials for alcohol dependence with at least one SMO group conducted in high-severity and mild-severity populations were assigned to a high-severity and mild-severity group of studies, respectively.ResultsEight studies (1082 patients) were retained: four in the high-severity group and four in the mild-severity group. The high-severity group was associated with larger SMO effect sizes than the mild-severity group: abstinence rate risk ratio (RR) 3.16, P = 0.004; PDA +26.9%, P ConclusionsIn the retained studies with alcohol-dependent patients, high-severity population and longer treatment duration were associated with larger SMO effect sizes.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC
Dornbierer DA, Zölch N, Baur DM, et al.
2023
- Disorders of Excessive Somnolence
- Narcolepsy
- Sodium Oxybate
Clinical guidelines recommend sodium oxybate (SXB; the sodium salt of γ-hydroxybutyrate) for the treatment of disturbed sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy, yet the underlying mode of action is elusive. In a randomised controlled trial in 20 healthy volunteers, we aimed at establishing neurochemical changes in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) following SXB-enhanced sleep. The ACC is a core neural hub regulating vigilance in humans. At 2:30 a.m., we administered in a double-blind cross-over manner an oral dose of 50 mg/kg SXB or placebo, to enhance electroencephalography-defined sleep intensity in the second half of nocturnal sleep (11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.). Upon scheduled awakening, we assessed subjective sleepiness, tiredness and mood and measured two-dimensional, J-resolved, point-resolved magnetic resonance spectroscopy (PRESS) localisation at 3-Tesla field strength. Following brain scanning, we used validated tools to quantify psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) performance and executive functioning. We analysed the data with independent t tests, false discovery rate (FDR) corrected for multiple comparisons. The morning glutamate signal (at 8:30 a.m.) in the ACC was specifically increased after SXB-enhanced sleep in all participants in whom good-quality spectroscopy data were available (n = 16; pFDR FDR FDR < 0.04) compared to placebo. The data indicate that elevated glutamate in the ACC could provide a neurochemical mechanism underlying SXB's pro-vigilant efficacy in disorders of hypersomnolence.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND
Nichols DA, Steininger TL, Fuller DS, et al.
2025
Sources: aggregated from Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), OpenAlex, Crossref, PubMed and other open scholarly databases. Retracted articles are excluded. Study information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
1 found
Half-life
0.5 to 1 hour
Mechanism
The physiological actions of sodium oxybate are mediated by gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), its active compound.
Food interactions
2 warnings
Human targets
2 targets
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
88%
Half-life
0.5 to 1 hour
[L30598]
Protein binding
1%
[L30598]
Volume of distribution
190 mL
[L30598]
Metabolism
Elimination
5%
Clearance
25 mg
[A19403]
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
An extended-release oral suspension formulation of sodium oxybate for narcolepsy, marketed under the brand name LUMRYZ, gained tentative FDA approval in July 2022 [L42645] and was fully approved in May 2023.[L46302] In some countries, sodium oxybate has been investigated and used in alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) to aid abstinence maintenance in alcohol use disorders.[A251440][A251445]
[L46302]
In the US and in Europe, the drug is approved for use in patients 7 years of age and older [L30598][L42665] while in Canada, it is not recommended in children under the age of 18, unless clearly needed.
[L42655]
Known interactions with other medicines. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 668 interactions
[L42640]
There are several cases of GHB overdose in literature where individuals ingested GHB illicitly in conjunction with other drugs and alcohol. These individuals exhibited varying degrees of depressed consciousness that may fluctuate rapidly between a confusional, agitated, combative state with ataxia and coma. Emesis (even when obtunded), diaphoresis, headache, and impaired psychomotor skills have been observed.
No typical pupillary changes have been described to assist in diagnosis; pupillary reactivity to light is maintained. Blurred vision has been reported. An increasing depth of coma and acidosis have been observed at higher doses.
Myoclonus and tonic-clonic seizures have been reported. Respiration may be unaffected or compromised in rate and depth. Cheyne-Stokes respiration and apnea have been observed.
Bradycardia and hypothermia may accompany unconsciousness, as well as muscular hypotonia, but tendon reflexes remain intact.
[L30598]
In clinical trials, two adults experienced sodium oxybate overdose. One patient received an estimated dose of 150 g, which was more than 15 times the maximum recommended dose: this patient became unresponsive with brief periods of apnea and incontinent of urine and feces. The patient recovered without sequelae.
The other patient died following a multiple drug overdose consisting of sodium oxybate and numerous other drugs.
[L30598]
There is no known antidote for sodium oxybate; therefore, overdose should be managed with general symptomatic and supportive care, with a consideration of gastric decontamination if co-ingestants are suspected.
[L30598]
At low doses, GHB binds to high- and low-affinity G-protein-coupled GHB receptors. Activation of GHB receptors leads to the release of glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter. At higher doses, GHB activates GABAB receptors [A19403][A187328] at noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurons, as well as at thalamocortical neurons [L30598] that are involved in sleep-wake regulation, attention and vigilance.[A187328] GHB metabolizes to GABA, which modulates GABAA and GABAC receptors.[A187328]
Sodium oxybate is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that can cause significant respiratory depression. Due to its physiological and psychological effects, sodium oxybate is associated with a risk for substance misuse and abuse,[L30598] addiction, withdrawal syndrome, and overdoses.[A18723] Sodium oxybate is a sodium salt of GHB, a naturally occurring CNS depressant that increases dopamine levels and increases serotonin turnover.[A18723] Sodium oxybate stimulates growth hormone release, often leading to its misuse as a dietary supplement for bodybuilding.[A18723] In patients with narcolepsy, sodium oxybate increases nocturnal growth hormone secretion and slow-wave sleep at night, which is when growth hormone is typically released.[A251425]
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
[L30598]
After administration of a single oral dose of 2.25g to 4.5g sodium oxybate, the Cmax was 27–90 μg/mL and the mean Tmax ranged from 25 to 75 minutes.
[A187328]
A high-fat meal delays absorption (average Tmax increased from 0.75 hr to 2 hr), reduces Cmax of GHB by 59%, and decreases systemic exposure (AUC) by 37%.
[L30598]
[L30598]
[L30598]
[L30598]
A second mitochondrial oxidoreductase enzyme, a transhydrogenase, also catalyzes the conversion to succinic semialdehyde in the presence of α-ketoglutarate. GHB can alternatively be converted to carbon dioxide and water via β-oxidation mediated by 3,4-dihydroxybutyrate. No active metabolites have been identified.
[L30598]
[L30598]
[A19403]
Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body
PMID:15617512 PMID:18165688 PMID:22660477 PMID:24305054 PMID:9872316 PMID:9872744
Within the heterodimeric GABA receptor, only GABBR1 seems to bind agonists, while GABBR2 mediates coupling to G proteins .
PMID:18165688
Ligand binding causes a conformation change that triggers signaling via guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) and modulates the activity of down-stream effectors, such as adenylate cyclase .
PMID:10075644 PMID:10773016 PMID:24305054
Signaling inhibits adenylate cyclase, stimulates phospholipase A2, activates potassium channels, inactivates voltage-dependent calcium-channels and modulates inositol phospholipid hydrolysis .
PMID:10075644 PMID:10773016 PMID:10906333 PMID:9872744
Plays a critical role in the fine-tuning of inhibitory synaptic transmission .
PMID:22660477 PMID:9872744
Pre-synaptic GABA receptor inhibits neurotransmitter release by down-regulating high-voltage activated calcium channels, whereas postsynaptic GABA receptor decreases neuronal excitability by activating a prominent inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) conductance that underlies the late inhibitory postsynaptic potentials .
PMID:10075644 PMID:22660477 PMID:9872316 PMID:9872744
Not only implicated in synaptic inhibition but also in hippocampal long-term potentiation, slow wave sleep, muscle relaxation and antinociception (Probable)
PMID:20463145 PMID:22864630 PMID:23243084 PMID:24253200 PMID:27702554
Humans are unable to synthesize vitamin B2/riboflavin and must obtain it via intestinal absorption .
PMID:20463145
May also act as a receptor for 4-hydroxybutyrate (Probable)
Enzymes involved in drug metabolism — important for understanding drug interactions
ATC N01AX11
ATC N07XX04
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Show
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Sodium oxybate
Additional database identifiers
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
15411
ChemSpider
9983
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:4070
GenAtlas
GABBR1
GeneCards
GABBR1
GenBank Gene Database
AJ225028
GenBank Protein Database
3892594
Guide to Pharmacology
240
UniProt Accession
GABR1_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:4507
GenAtlas
GABBR2
GeneCards
GABBR2
GenBank Gene Database
AJ012188
GenBank Protein Database
3776098
Guide to Pharmacology
241
UniProt Accession
GABR2_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:30224
GeneCards
SLC52A2
UniProt Accession
S52A2_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:408
GenAtlas
ALDH5A1
GeneCards
ALDH5A1
GenBank Gene Database
Y11192
GenBank Protein Database
3766467
Guide to Pharmacology
2466
UniProt Accession
SSDH_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:16354
GeneCards
ADHFE1
UniProt Accession
HOT_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:7863
GenAtlas
NNT
GeneCards
NNT
GenBank Gene Database
U40490
GenBank Protein Database
1110520
UniProt Accession
NNTM_HUMAN
DrugBank citations
If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite:
- DrugBank 6.02024Recommended citationKnox C., Wilson M., Klinger C.M., et alDrugBank 6.0: the DrugBank Knowledgebase for 2024Nucleic Acids Res. 2024 Jan 552(D1):D1265-D1275
- DrugBank 5.02018Wishart D.S., Feunang Y.D., Guo A.C., et alDrugBank 5.0: a major update to the DrugBank database for 2018Nucleic Acids Res. 2017 Nov 846(D1):D1074-D1082
- DrugBank 4.02014Law V., Knox C., Djoumbou Y., et alDrugBank 4.0: shedding new light on drug metabolismNucleic Acids Res. 2014 Jan 142(1):D1091-7
- DrugBank 3.02011Knox C., Law V., Jewison T., et alDrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugsNucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan39(Database issue):D1035-41
- DrugBank 2.02008Wishart D.S., Knox C., Guo A.C., et alDrugBank: a knowledgebase for drugs, drug actions and drug targets.Nucleic Acids Research2008 Jan36(Database issue):D901-6
- DrugBank 1.02006Wishart D.S., Knox C., Guo A.C., et alDrugBank: a comprehensive resource for in silico drug discovery and exploration.Nucleic Acids Research2006 Jan 134(Database issue):D668-72