Key takeaways
Xywav (calcium oxybate/magnesium oxybate/potassium oxybate/sodium oxybate) and Sunosi (solriamfetol) are both used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness, but they work in different ways and treat different conditions. Xywav is a central nervous system depressant that helps manage sudden muscle weakness and daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia by increasing GABA activity in the brain. It is comes in a liquid dosage form and is usually twice a night with 2.5 to 4 hours separating the two doses. Xywav can cause side effects like nausea, headache, and dizziness. Sunosi, on the other hand, is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor that treats narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea by raising norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. It is taken as a pill once a day and can cause side effects like headache, nausea, and insomnia. Xywav is a Schedule III controlled substance, while Sunosi is Schedule IV, indicating different levels of potential misuse and dependence. Xywav has a higher risk for misure and dependency. Both medications are only available as a brand-name medication.
