Xywav


Xywav is a fixed-dose combination medication used to treat cataplexy or excessive daytime sleepiness. It contains a mixture of the oxybate salts calcium oxybate, magnesium oxybate, potassium oxybate, and sodium oxybate. It is a central nervous system depressant and it is taken by mouth.
It is manufactured by Jazz Pharmaceuticals and was approved for medical use in the United States in July 2020.

Medical uses

Xywav is indicated for the treatment of cataplexy or excessive daytime sleepiness in people aged seven years of age and older with narcolepsy; and for idiopathic hypersomnia.

Chemical composition

Xywav is composed of 46.8% calcium, 26% potassium, 19.2% magnesium, and 8% sodium oxybate by weight in an oral solution. The concentration of oxybate salts in solution is 0.5 g/ml, equivalent to.413 grams of total oxybate.

Side effects

The US Food and Drug Administration label for Xywav contains a boxed warning for central nervous system depression, abuse, and misuse.

Respiratory

Slowed breathing, trouble breathing, sleep apnea.

Psychiatric

Confusion, hallucination, unusual or disturbing thoughts, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, increased tiredness, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and difficulty concentrating.

Other

Sleepwalking.

Society and culture

Legal status

Xywav was granted orphan drug designation by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Xywav is a prescription drug and a Schedule III controlled substance in the United States.

Other names

In the testing phase of the drug, it was known as JZP-258.
Calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybate is another name for gamma hydroxybutyrate.