Lumryz
Lumryz (sodium oxybate) is used to help adults and children 7 years and older with narcolepsy. It treats cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness. This medication works as a central nervous system depressant. Lumryz (sodium oxybate) comes as packets of powder that you need to mix with water before you take your dose. It's an extended-release medication that you only need to take just once each night. Side effects can include nausea, dizziness, headache, and bedwetting. Lumryz (sodium oxybate) is only available by prescription as a brand-name medication.
What is Lumryz (sodium oxybate)?
What is Lumryz (sodium oxybate) used for?
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or cataplexy in people with narcolepsy
How Lumryz (sodium oxybate) works
Lumryz (sodium oxybate) is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. We don't exactly know how it works. But researchers think it affects proteins in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. This might help with cataplexy and feeling too sleepy during the day for people who have narcolepsy.
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What are the risks and warnings for Lumryz (sodium oxybate)?
Lumryz (sodium oxybate) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Potential for misuse
Risk factors: Personal or family history of substance or alcohol use disorder | History of mental health problems | Taking more of Lumryz (sodium oxybate) than prescribed
Lumryz (sodium oxybate) is a controlled substance because it has a risk of misuse. Misuse can lead to serious, life-threatening problems. This can include seizure, extremely slowed breathing, and overdose. Misusing this medication can sometimes also lead to addiction. If you're worried about these risks, talk to your prescriber.
Changes in mental alertness and potentially deadly slowed breathing
Risk factors: Drinking alcohol | Taking other CNS depressants | History of breathing problems (e.g., sleep apnea)
Lumryz (sodium oxybate) can slow your breathing down to the point where it's life-threatening. This can look like shortness of breath, slow and shallow breathing, and bluish-colored lips, fingers, or toes. If this change in your breathing isn't recognized and treated right away, it can lead to death. Get medical help right away if you or a loved one notices that you have symptoms of extremely slowed breathing.
Lumryz (sodium oxybate) can slow down your brain activity. This can make you very sleepy and have trouble thinking, focusing, and reacting. Don't drive or perform any activities that require you to be alert until you know how this medication affects you, and especially for at least 6 hours after taking it.
Changes in mental alertness and slowed breathing can happen at any time while you're taking Lumryz (sodium oxybate) and even at recommended doses. But your risk is higher if you drink alcohol or take other CNS depressants, such as opioids, muscle relaxants, or antipsychotics, while you're taking Lumryz (sodium oxybate). Speak to your prescriber if you have concerns about these risks.
Changes in mental alertness
Risk factors: Drinking alcohol | Taking other CNS depressants
As a CNS depressant, Lumryz (sodium oxybate) can slow down your brain. This can make you feel very sleepy and have trouble thinking, focusing, and reacting to things.
Don't drive or do anything that needs your full attention until at least 6 hours after you take Lumryz (sodium oxybate). In general, it's also good idea to avoid these things until you know how this medication affects you.
You can have changes in mental alertness at any time while taking Lumryz (sodium oxybate), even at recommended doses. Don't drink alcohol while taking this medication because it can raise your risk. Also don't take other CNS depressants, like opioids or other sedatives. Talk to your prescriber if you're worried about these risks.
Dangerously slowed breathing
Risk factors: History of breathing problems (e.g., sleep apnea) | Drinking alcohol | Taking other CNS depressants
Lumryz (sodium oxybate) can slow your breathing down to the point where it's very dangerous. This can look like shortness of breath and slow and shallow breathing. It can lead to bluish-colored lips, fingers, or toes. If slowed breathing isn't recognized and treated right away, it can be life-threatening. If you or a close one notices that your breathing is extremely slow, get medical help right away.
Your breathing can slow down at any time while you're taking Lumryz (sodium oxybate). It can even get slow at recommended doses. But your risk is higher if you drink alcohol with Lumryz (sodium oxybate). It's also higher if you take other CNS depressants, like opioids and muscle relaxants. If you're worried about the risk of slowed breathing, speak to your prescriber.
Only available through the Lumyrz REMS program
Lumryz (sodium oxybate) has a risk of misuse. It can also slow the body down and make your breathing extremely slow. Because of these risks, the FDA requires Lumryz (sodium oxybate) to be available only through a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program. This safety program is called the Lumyrz REMS program.
Your prescriber will help you sign up for the Lumryz REMS program. Your prescriber and the pharmacy you get Lumryz (sodium oxybate) from must also enroll. This helps make sure you and everyone involved in your care understands the dangers of the medication.
Behavior changes, including depression and suicidal thoughts
Risk factors: History of mental health problems
Some people taking Lumryz (sodium oxybate) can have changes in their behavior. In studies, this included confusion, anxiety, and irritability. Some also had panic attacks or had obsessive thoughts. Although rare, others might have signs of depression or thoughts of hurting themselves.
Let your prescriber know if you have a history of mental health problems. They might want to follow up with you more often. They can make sure your mental health is okay while you're taking Lumryz (sodium oxybate).
Tell your prescriber if you start to behave in ways that aren't normal for you or have signs of depression while taking Lumryz (sodium oxybate). If you start thinking about wanting to hurt yourself, call 911 right away.
Unusual sleep behaviors (e.g., sleepwalking)
Sleepwalking and other unusual sleep behaviors can happen while taking took Lumryz (sodium oxybate). This can look like having confused behavior or wandering throughout the night. These sleep behaviors can raise the risk of hurting yourself by accident.
Make sure your family and loved ones know about this side effect so they can watch out for your safety. Tell your prescriber if you've sleepwalked or wandered around at night while taking Lumryz (sodium oxybate). Also let them know about any other strange things you've done while you're sleeping during treatment.
Contains a high amount of sodium
Risk factors: Heart failure | High blood pressure | Kidney problems
Lumryz (sodium oxybate) contains a high amount of sodium (salt). It can be dangerous to take for people who are sensitive to salt. This includes people with heart failure, high blood pressure, or kidney problems.
Before starting Lumryz (sodium oxybate), tell your prescriber about your full medical history. They can make sure it's safe for you to take, given the high salt content in the medication.
What are the side effects of Lumryz (sodium oxybate)?
Common Side Effects
- Bedwetting (up to 9%)
- Nausea (up to 8%)
- Headache (up to 7%)
- Dizziness (up to 6%)
- Vomiting (up to 6%)
Other Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss
- Anxiety
- Sleepwalking
Serious Side Effects
- Very slow breathing
- Feeling overly sleepy
- Fainting
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- CNS depression—slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, trouble staying awake
- Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
- Sleep apnea—loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, daytime sleepiness
- Sleepwalking
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Bedwetting
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Pros and cons of Lumryz (sodium oxybate)
Pros
Taken just once at bedtime each night (no need to wake up in the middle of the night for a second dose)
Can okay for children 7 years and older with narcolepsy to take
Becomes a liquid once mixed, so you don't need to swallow a pill
Cons
Need to mix the medication with water before taking
Is a controlled substance, so there are special requirements to getting the medication filled
Might not be the best option for people with liver problems
Pharmacist tips for Lumryz (sodium oxybate)
Take Lumryz (sodium oxybate) right before bed at your bedside each night. Make sure it's at least 2 hours after you've eaten so the medication works the best it can.
For each Lumryz (sodium oxybate) dose, you'll need to mix the powder from the packet with water before you take it. Don't take the medication without preparing it.
Lumryz (sodium oxybate) can make you feel sleepy. It can also make it hard to think, pay attention, and react fast. These side effects can last for many hours. Don't drive or use machines until it's been at least 6 hours since you've taken the medication and you know how it affects you.
Don't drink alcohol with Lumryz (sodium oxybate). It can raise your risk of serious side effects. This includes slowed breathing, loss of consciousness, or even death. Alcohol can also make the medication get released into the body too fast, which can be very dangerous. Talk to your prescriber if you need help to stop drinking.
How to prepare and take Lumryz (sodium oxybate):
Prepare your Lumryz (sodium oxybate) dose before bedtime. Follow the instructions on how to prepare the medication. If you have any questions, ask your prescriber or pharmacist.
How to prepare: Fill the provided mixing cup with water to the "A" line. Don't use household cups, and don't use hot water. Take 1 packet and pour all the powder from it into the cup. Close the cup and shake for at least a minute to mix well. The mixed liquid will look a little milky with some lumps. Drink the liquid within 30 minutes; don't save it after that.
How to take: Drink the liquid within 30 minutes of mixing. Sit in bed to drink all the liquid in the cup. Refill to mixing cup with water to the line labeled "B." Mix any leftover medication that's still in the cup. Don't open another packet to pour into the cup. Close the cup and shake it for 10 seconds. Then, drink the liquid in the cup.
Right after you take Lumryz (sodium oxybate), lie down in bed and stay in bed. This can help prevent you from falling and getting hurt. You'll probably fall asleep within 5 to 15 minutes after taking the medication. Keep in mind that the time it takes to fall asleep might be different from night to night.
Leave the empty Lumryz (sodium oxybate) packet and mixing cup by the bed until morning. The next day, throw the used packet away in the trash (rinse any powder left down the sink first). Rinse the mixing cup with water and let it dry for next time.
Frequently asked questions about Lumryz (sodium oxybate)
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Lumryz (sodium oxybate) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Lumryz (sodium oxybate)
Adults: The typical starting dose is 4.5 grams by mouth once each night at bedtime. Your prescriber will raise your dose every week to the recommended dose. The recommended dose is 6 to 9 grams once per night.
Children 7 years and older: The dose depends on your child's weight.
Weigh at least 99 lbs: The typical starting dose is 4.5 grams by mouth once each night at bedtime. The prescriber will raise the dose about every week. The highest recommended dose is 9 grams once each night.
Weigh 66 lbs to less than 99 lbs: Your child will likely need to start with Xyrem (sodium oxybate) first before switching to Lumryz (sodium oxybate). Then after the switch, the prescriber will adjust the dose. The highest recommended dose of Lumryz (sodium oxybate) is 7.5 grams by mouth once each night at bedtime.
Weigh 44 lbs to less than 66 lbs: Your child will likely need to start with Xyrem (sodium oxybate) first before switching to Lumryz (sodium oxybate). Then once switched, the prescriber will adjust the dose. The highest recommended dose of Lumryz (sodium oxybate) is 6 grams by mouth once each night at bedtime.
How much does Lumryz (sodium oxybate) cost?
Lumryz (sodium oxybate) contraindications
Take other sedative medications
Drink alcohol
A genetic condition called succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency
What are alternatives to Lumryz (sodium oxybate)?
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or cataplexy in people with narcolepsy
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or cataplexy in people with narcolepsy
Excessive daytime sleepiness or cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness) in adults with narcolepsy
Excessive daytime sleepiness in children ages 6 and older with narcolepsy
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