Faculty Collaboration Database

Psychosis in the context of sodium oxybate therapy. J Clin Sleep Med 2011 Dec 15;7(6):665-6

Date

12/16/2011

Pubmed ID

22171207

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3227714

DOI

10.5664/jcsm.1478

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84855671572   13 Citations

Abstract

Sodium oxybate (brand name Xyrem) is a sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), an endogenous CNS depressant, which is an effective treatment of narcolepsy. As a drug of abuse, GHB produces severe psychiatric side effects and withdrawal. However, there are no reports of these effects when using clinically recommended doses. This paper presents a case of a patient who developed altered mental status while taking the recommended dose of sodium oxybate and subsequently became psychotic upon abrupt discontinuation of the medication. It is important for prescribers of sodium oxybate to be aware of the possibility of significant psychiatric side effects of this medication, as well as withdrawal symptoms, even at clinical doses.

Author List

Langford J, Gross WL

Author

William Gross MD, PhD Assistant Professor in the Anesthesiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Central Nervous System Depressants
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Drug Administration Schedule
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Narcolepsy
Psychotic Disorders
Risk Assessment
Severity of Illness Index
Sodium Oxybate
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome