Xyrem safety: the debate continues.

摘要

An article appearing in this issue of Sleep Medicine describes three deaths associated with the use of Xyrem~R (sodium oxybate; Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.). It appears the intent of these authors is to highlight safety concerns associated with the use of sodium oxybate; however, the information they present adds little to our present understanding about this valuable medication. Sodium oxybate is the synthetic form of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), an endogenous substance which appears to function as a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system [1]. As an endogenous substance, blood levels of GHB as high as 1.5 mg/L can be measured in normal healthy individuals [2].