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Compare Wakix vs. Xyrem

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Wakix (pitolisant) and sodium oxybate (Xyrem, Lumryz) are both used to treat cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness in people with narcolepsy, but they have some key differences. Wakix is a histamine-3 (H3) receptor antagonist/inverse agonist taken once daily in the morning. Sodium oxybate is a central nervous system depressant with immediate-release (Xyrem) and extended-release (Lumryz) forms, with the immediate-release version requiring two doses per night and the extended-release version taken once at bedtime. Wakix is not a controlled substance and does not carry a risk of addiction, whereas sodium oxybate is a Schedule III controlled substance with potential for misuse and dependence. Common side effects of Wakix include headache, nausea, and trouble sleeping, while sodium oxybate can cause nausea, dizziness, and bedwetting. Additionally, sodium oxybate contains a high amount of sodium, which can be problematic for people with certain health conditions. Unlike Wakix, sodium oxybate is available as a low-cost generic.

  • Wakix (pitolisant)
    Sodium oxybate
  • Wakix (pitolisant)
    Sodium oxybate

  • Summary of Wakix vs. Xyrem

    Summary for Histamine-3 (H3) receptor antagonist / Inverse agonist
    Prescription only

    Wakix (pitolisant) is a medication that treats excessive daytime sleepiness in adults and children ages 6 and older with narcolepsy. It's also used to treat cataplexy, or sudden muscle weakness after having strong emotions, in adults with narcolepsy. This medication is taken by mouth once a day in the morning. You'll typically start the medication at a lower dose and then slowly raise the dose over time. Side effects include headache, nausea, and trouble sleeping.

    Summary for CNS depressant
    Prescription only

    Sodium oxybate is used to treat cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness after strong emotions) and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in people with narcolepsy. Common side effects of the medication include nausea, dizziness, and bedwetting (especially in children). Sodium oxybate is a controlled substance because it has the potential for misuse and dependence. Sodium oxybate is available as brand-name Xyrem and lower-cost generic that are taken twice at night for people age 7 years and older. There's also a newly-approved, extended-release version for adults called Lumryz that's taken only once at night (expected to be available in summer 2023).

  • Indications of Wakix vs. Xyrem

    Indications for
    •Excessive daytime sleepiness or cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness) in adults with narcolepsy
    •Excessive daytime sleepiness in children ages 6 and older with narcolepsy
    Indications for
    •Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or cataplexy in people with narcolepsy

  • Pros and Cons of Wakix vs. Xyrem

    Pros and Const for Histamine-3 (H3) receptor antagonist / Inverse agonist
    Pros
    •Lowers how many cataplexy attacks you get per week
    •A narcolepsy treatment that's not a controlled substance
    •Only need to take it once a day
    Cons
    •Not the best medication if you have liver or kidney problems
    •Might need to take more than one tablet for your dose
    •Can take a couple months to see the full effects of this medication
    Pros and Const for CNS depressant
    Pros
    •One of the first-choice medications to treat narcolepsy
    •Can use in children 7 years and older (immediate-release version only)
    •Is a liquid mixture, so you don't need to swallow a pill
    •Dose can be adjusted if needed
    Cons
    •Need to wake up in the middle of the night to take the second dose (immediate-release version only)
    •Need to mix the doses with water before taking
    •Risk of dependence and misuse
    •Can't take with other sleep medications

  • Common Side Effects of Wakix vs. Xyrem

    Common Side Effects for

    Adults:

    •Headache (18%)
    •Trouble sleeping (6%)
    •Nausea (6%)
    •Anxiety (5%)

    Children:

    •Headache (19%)
    •Trouble sleeping (7%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Immediate-release (Xyrem and generic)

    Adults

    •Nausea (up to 20%)
    •Dizziness (up to 15%)
    •Vomiting (up to 11%)
    •Sleepiness (up to 8%)
    •Bedwetting (up to 7%)
    •Tremor or shakiness (up to 5%)

    Children

    •Nausea (20%)
    •Bedwetting (19%)
    •Vomiting (18%)
    •Headache (17%)
    •Weight loss (13%)
    •Poor appetite (9%)
    •Dizziness (8%)
    •Sleepwalking (6%)

    Extended-release Lumryz

    •Bedwetting (up to 9%)
    •Nausea (up to 8%)
    •Headache (up to 7%)
    •Dizziness (up to 6%)
    •Vomiting (up to 6%)

  • Warnings of Wakix vs. Xyrem

    Common Side Effects for
    •Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Potential for misuse
    •Changes in mental alertness and potentially deadly slowed breathing
    •Behavior changes, including depression and suicidal thoughts
    •Sleep disorders (e.g., sleep walking)
    •Contains high amount of sodium

  • Prices with our coupons for Wakix vs. Xyrem

    Learn more about Wakix
    Learn more about Sodium oxybate

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