Sodium Oxybate

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Cat Number

API502852

CAS Number

502-85-2

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Product Detail Description Scientific Support Customer Q&A

CAS Number

502-85-2

Storage

Under -20℃

Synonyms

Sodium 4-hydroxybutyrate

Molecular Formula

C4H7NaO3

Molecular Weight

126.09

Smiles

C(CC(=O)[O-])CO.[Na+]

Appearance

Liquid

General Description

Sodium Oxybate is the sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyrate, an endogenous neuromodulator found in the central nervous system. It acts as a GABA-B receptor agonist and produces pronounced sedative and hypnotic effects.

Mechanism of Action

Sodium Oxybate activates GABA-B receptors and specific GHB receptors, producing central nervous system depression. It uniquely enhances slow-wave sleep and stabilizes fragmented sleep architecture in narcolepsy patients.

Application

Used in the treatment of cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness. Sodium Oxybate is indicated for narcolepsy with cataplexy and for reducing excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy patients.

Sodium oxybate acts as a CNS depressant, binding to GHB and GABAB receptors, and improves sleep architecture by increasing slow-wave sleep and delta power while reducing REM sleep and nocturnal awakenings. Pharmacokinetically, it is rapidly absorbed, with a short half-life, requiring twice-nightly dosing; food delays absorption. In clinical trials, sodium oxybate 4.5–9 g/night significantly reduced cataplexy frequency by up to 85% in a dose-dependent manner and improved excessive daytime sleepiness, as measured by Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores and maintenance of wakefulness tests. Sodium oxybate is effective and well-tolerated, offering a valuable alternative or adjunct to traditional treatments for narcolepsy with cataplexy.

Fig. 1 Effect of Sodium Oxybate on sleep architecture in patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy. (Robinson D M, Keating G M. 2007)

References

Robinson D M, Keating G M. Sodium oxybate: a review of its use in the management of narcolepsy. CNS drugs, 2007, 21(4): 337-354.

What makes Sodium Oxybate unique in narcolepsy treatment?

Sodium Oxybate is the only agent that simultaneously improves both cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness, and it uniquely consolidates fragmented sleep architecture.