Sodium Oxybate (gamma hydroxybutyrate):

Sodium Oxybate is a medication (brand name Xyrem) used to improve sleep quality in individuals with Narcolepsy.  It is a central nervous system depressant and has the potential for severe respiratory depression.

It is the sodium salt of gamma hydroxybutyrate and is derived from gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA).  It acts as inhibitor to chemical neuro-tramission in the brain and is thought to function through specific receptors for GABA and gamma hydroxybutyrate.

« Back to Glossary Index
filed under: