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Xyrem (sodium oxybate)

The Food and Drug Administration approved Xyrem (sodium oxybate or gamma hydroxybutyrate, also known as GHB) for treating a small population of patients with narcolepsy who experience episodes of cataplexy, a condition characterized by weak or paralyzed muscles. Because of safety concerns associated with the use of the drug, the distribution of Xyrem will be tightly restricted.

Do Not Buy Xyrem Over the Internet

  • You should not buy Xyrem over the Internet because you will bypass important safeguards designed to protect your health (and the health of others).
  • Xyrem has special safety restrictions on how it is distributed to the public. Also, drugs purchased from foreign Internet sources are not the FDA-approved versions of the drugs, and they are not subject to FDA-regulated manufacturing controls or FDA inspection of manufacturing facilities. 

To learn more about buying drugs safely, please see 

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FDA/Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Last Updated: December 16, 2002, updated May 12, 2006
Originator: OTCOM/DLIS
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