Sodium oxybate
Xyrem · ATC code N07XX04
Brand names: Xyrem, Alcover, Natriumoxybat Kalceks, Natriumoxybat Neuraxpharm, Natriumoxybat Accord, Natriumoxybat Aristo, Natriumoxybat Ascend, Natriumoxybat Ethypharm, Somsanit
- Key facts
- Active substance
- Sodium oxybate
- ATC code
- N07XX04
- Authorisation
- centrally authorised across the EU (EMA)
- Dosage forms
- Xyrem 500 mg/mL oral solution
- Marketing authorisation holder
- UCB Pharma Ltd
- Information as of
- 2026-10-27
Key facts
Sodium oxybate is a CNS depressant, the sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (Xyrem oral solution). It is used to treat narcolepsy with cataplexy from 7 years of age.
What it is used for
- Narcolepsy with cataplexy in adults, adolescents and children from 7 years of age
Dosing
- Adults: start 4.5 g/day divided into two equal doses of 2.25 g
- Titrate in steps of 1.5 g/day (0.75 g/dose) at intervals of one to two weeks; maximum 9 g/day
- With valproate: reduce dose by 20%; starting dose 3.6 g per day
- Hepatic impairment: halve the starting dose
- After more than 14 consecutive days off, restart titration from the lowest dose
- Weight-based paediatric dosing is in the full text
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients
- Major depression
- Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency
- Concomitant treatment with opioids or barbiturates
Important warnings
- Respiratory and CNS depression; assess for sleep apnoea before treatment
- Monitor patients with BMI ≥40 kg/m2 closely
- Avoid benzodiazepines
- Most serious reactions: suicidal attempt, psychosis, respiratory depression, convulsion
- Monitor elderly for impaired motor and cognitive function; consider sodium content in renal impairment
Side effects
- Most common: dizziness, nausea and headache (in 10% to 20% of adults)
- Serious: suicidal attempt, psychosis, respiratory depression, convulsion
- Choking sensation during sleep reported
Interactions
- Alcohol potentiates CNS depression; avoid alcoholic beverages
- Not used with sedative hypnotics or other CNS depressants
- Valproate: reduce the sodium oxybate dose
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Not recommended during pregnancy; possible increased risk of spontaneous abortion with first-trimester exposure
Summary of the official product information, written with AI (Claude, Anthropic) on 2026-10-28. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.
Common questions – ask Medelix
For patients
Package leaflet, verbatim
Authorisation and brand names by country
Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.
EU – centrally authorised (all member states)
- XyremUCB Pharma Ltd · EMEA/H/C/000593
Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information
Austria
- AlcoverDebregeas Et Associes Pharma · 1 register entry
- Natriumoxybat KalceksKalceks · 1 register entry
- Natriumoxybat NeuraxpharmNeuraxpharm Arzneimittel Gmbh · 1 register entry
Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28
Germany
- Natriumoxybat AccordAccord Healthcare B.V. · 1 register entry
- Natriumoxybat AristoAristo Pharma Gmbh (Art 57) · 1 register entry
- Natriumoxybat AscendAscend Gmbh · 1 register entry
- Natriumoxybat EthypharmKalceks · 1 register entry
- Natriumoxybat NeuraxpharmNeuraxpharm Arzneimittel Gmbh · 1 register entry
- SomsanitDr. Franz Köhler Chemie Gmbh · 1 register entry
Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28
Turkey
- XyremUCB PHARMA A.Ş. · 1 register entry
Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16
Brand names in 20 more European countries
- Belgium
- Oxybate Accord, Oxybate Kalceks
- Czechia
- Sodium Oxybate Kalceks
- Denmark
- Natriumoxybat, Oxiore
- Estonia
- Sodium Oxybate Kalceks
- Finland
- Natriumoksibaatti Kalceks, Natriumoxibat Reig Jofre
- France
- Gamma-Oh, Oxybate De Sodium Kalceks, Oxybate De Sodium Reig Jofre
- Greece
- Oxybatin
- Iceland
- Xyrem
- Ireland
- Sodium Oxybate As Kalceks
- Italy
- Alcover, Sodio Oxibato Accord, Sodio Oxibato Kalceks
- Latvia
- Nartex
- Liechtenstein
- Xyrem
- Lithuania
- Sodium Oxybate Kalceks
- Netherlands
- Natriumoxybaat Accord, Natriumoxybaat Aristo, Natriumoxybaat Kalceks, Oxiore
- Norway
- Natriumoksybat Kalceks, Oxiore, Xyrem
- Poland
- Sodium Oxybate Accord
- Slovakia
- Sodium Oxybate Kalceks
- Slovenia
- Natrijev Oksibat Accord, Natrijev Oksibat Kalceks
- Spain
- Anartex, Oxibato De Sodio Kalceks, Oxibato De Sodio Normon, Oxibato De Sodio Zentiva, Oxibato Sódico Sala
- Sweden
- Natriumoxibat Kalceks, Natriumoxibat Reig Jofre, Oxiore
EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28
Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.
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Sources
- European Medicines Agency. Xyrem – EPAR, Product Information (OF THE TEXT Detailed information on this medicinal product i). 2026-10-27. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/xyrem-epar-product-information_en.pdf
- EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
- EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
- TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-27 · How these pages are made · Report an error
Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.