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my personal edition > sleep disorders > news
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DGNews
Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate) Now Available for Treatment of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Patients With Narcolepsy
PALO ALTO, C.A. -- March 6, 2006 -- Jazz Pharmaceuticals announced today that Xyrem(R) (sodium oxybate) oral solution is now available for patients with narcolepsy who suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness.
Richard Bogan, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, was an investigator in the clinical studies for Xyrem. Dr. Bogan noted that availability of Xyrem's new indication is "good news" for patients. "Xyrem is now the first and only FDA-approved treatment for all major daytime symptoms of narcolepsy," he said. "The fact that patients can take their medication at night and improve their quality of life during the day is a very positive benefit."
About Xyrem's Clinical Trials
The effectiveness of Xyrem for the treatment of narcolepsy symptoms was established in four multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, studies over a period of time between 4 and 8 weeks. The studies examined three dosages of Xyrem (4.5g per night, 6g per night and 9g per night) taken in two equally divided doses (the first at bedtime and the second 2.5 to 4 hours later).
Two well-controlled clinical trials demonstrated that Xyrem at doses of 6g and 9g per night is effective at subjectively (as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and objectively (as measured by the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test) improving excessive daytime sleepiness. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale evaluates the extent of sleepiness in everyday situations by asking patients a series of questions. The Maintenance of Wakefulness Test measures latency to sleep onset when patients are placed in a relaxed atmosphere and asked to remain awake without using extraordinary measures. In addition, two well-controlled clinical trials demonstrated that all dosages of Xyrem significantly reduced the frequency of cataplexy attacks. Furthermore, patients on the 6g or 9g per night doses saw significant improvements in symptom severity -- with the majority of them rating much or very much improved on the Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C) in Day and Nighttime Symptoms scale.
Xyrem was generally well tolerated and no treatment-related serious adverse events were reported. The most commonly reported adverse events (greater than or equal to 5%) in placebo controlled clinical trials associated with the use of sodium oxybate and occurring more frequently than seen in placebo-treated patients were: nausea (19%), dizziness (18%), headache (18%), vomiting (8%), somnolence (6%), urinary incontinence (6%), and nasopharyngitis (6%). These incidences are based on combined data from three well-controlled clinical trials and two smaller randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trials (n=655).
About Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic, debilitating neurological disease, the primary symptoms of which are excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), fragmented nighttime sleep, and cataplexy. The hallmark symptom of narcolepsy is excessive and overwhelming daytime sleepiness, even after nighttime sleep. EDS is present in 100% of narcolepsy patients and it causes people to become drowsy or fall asleep, often at inappropriate times and places. Cataplexy, the sudden loss of muscle tone, is the most predictive symptom of narcolepsy. Cataplexy can range from slight weakness or a drooping of the face to the complete loss of muscle tone and is triggered by strong emotional reactions such as laughter, anger or surprise.
More than 150,000 Americans are afflicted by narcolepsy, but fewer than 50,000 are diagnosed. Narcolepsy is as widespread as Parkinson's Disease or multiple sclerosis and more prevalent than cystic fibrosis, but it is less well known. Narcolepsy is often mistaken for depression, epilepsy, or the side effects of medications.
About Xyrem
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xyrem in July 2002 as the first and only treatment for cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy. In November 2005, the FDA approved Xyrem to treat excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy. Xyrem is marketed by Jazz Pharmaceuticals in the United States.
Sodium oxybate, the active ingredient in Xyrem, is a sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyrate. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate is a substance with a history of abuse when acquired illicitly and used illegally. Abuse of illicit gamma-hydroxybutyrate has been associated with adverse CNS events including seizures, respiratory depression and profound decreases in level of consciousness, with instances of coma and death.
Xyrem is a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act and is only available through a restricted distribution system called the Xyrem Success Program(R).
SOURCE: Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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