What's the difference between Xywav and Xyrem?
Xywav is a low-sodium alternative to Xyrem, approved in 2020 after concerns about the high sodium content of Xyrem potentially contributing to heart disease.
- Xywav contains 92% less sodium than Xyrem and may be more suitable for people on a low salt diet or those who are at risk of high blood pressure. Xyrem carries warnings about its high sodium content.
- Xywav only contains 131mg sodium in a daily 9g dose compared with Xyrem which contains 1640mg of sodium per 9g dose. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day, preferably less than 1,500 mg per day.
- Xywav contains the same amount of oxybate as Xyrem, but as a mixture of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybate salts, instead of solely sodium oxybate salts, which make up Xyrem.
- Doctors can initiate Xywav at the same dosage as Xyrem.
References
- Xywav (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybates) Xywav.com https://www.xywav.com/
- Xywav (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybates) [Product information] Updated 03/2022. Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. https://www.drugclasses.com/pro/xywav.html#s-34090-1
Read next
Will Xyrem show up on a drug test?
Yes, Xyrem may show up on a drug test if the test is screening for GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), also known as the date-rape drug because Xyrem is the sodium salt of GHB. Xyrem may turn a test for GHB positive if the test is conducted within 7 or 8 days of taking Xyrem. However, most drug tests used by employers do not screen for GHB. They mainly look for other drugs that are commonly misused such as amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, opioids, cocaine, and marijuana. Continue reading
Does Xyrem cause weight gain or loss?
Xyrem (sodium oxybate), which is used to treat cataplexy or excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in patients 7 years of age and older with narcolepsy, can cause weight loss.
Weight loss is reported to be an adverse reaction associated with Xyrem treatment, but it is also seen as a beneficial effect of the drug because narcolepsy is linked to weight gain and obesity. Continue reading
How effective is Xywav for Idiopathic Hypersomnia?
Xywav stops people with idiopathic hypersomnia from feeling sleepy during the day with an average improvement in the Epworth Sleepiness scale (ESS) of 7 points. The ESS is a subjective measure of your risk of falling asleep during activities such as watching TV, talking to someone, or while in a car, and scores from 0 (no chance at all of dozing) to 24 (excessive sleepiness that requires medical attention). A score of 10 or higher suggests idiopathic hypersomnia. Continue reading
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Drug information
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