Summary of medicine characteristics - Xyrem
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Xyrem 500 mg/mL oral solution
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each mL of solutioncontains 500 mg of sodium oxybate.
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Oral solution.
The oral solution is clear to slightly opalescent.
4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS4.1 Therapeutic indications
Treatment of narcolepsy with cataplexy in adult patients, adolescents and children from the age of 7 years.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Treatment should be initiated by and remain under the guidance of a physician experienced in the treatment of narcolepsy. Physicians should strictly adhere to the contraindications, warnings and precautions.
Posology
Adult
The recommended starting dose is 4.5 g/day sodium oxybate divided into two equal doses of
2.25 g/dose. The dose should be titrated to effect based on efficacy and tolerability (see section 4.4) up to a maximum of 9 g/day divided into two equal doses of 4.5 g/dose by adjusting up or down in dose increments of 1.5 g/day (i.e. 0.75 g/dose). A minimum of one to two weeks is recommended between dose increments. The dose of 9 g/day should not be exceeded due to the possible occurrence of severe symptoms at doses of 18 g/day or above (see section 4.4).
Single doses of 4.5 g should not be given unless the patient has been titrated previously to that dose level.
If sodium oxybate and valproate are used concomitantly (see section 4.5), a decrease in sodium oxybate dose by 20% is recommended. The recommended starting dose for sodium oxybate, when used concomitantly with valproate, is 3.6 g per day administered orally in two equal divided doses of approximately 1.8 g. If concomitant use is warranted, patient response and tolerability should be monitored and dose should be adapted accordingly (see section 4.4).
Discontinuation of Xyrem
The discontinuation effects of sodium oxybate have not been systematically evaluated in controlled clinical trials (see section 4.4).
If the patient stops taking the medicinal product for more than 14 consecutive days, titration should be restarted from the lowest dose.
Special populations
Elderly
Elderly patients should be monitored closely for impaired motor and/or cognitive function when taking sodium oxybate (see section 4.4).
Hepatic impairment
The starting dose should be halved in all patients with hepatic impairment, and response to dose increments monitored closely (see section 4.4 and 5.2).
Renal impairment
All patients with impaired renal function should consider a recommendation to reduce sodium intake (see section 4.4).
Paediatric population
Adolescents and children from 7 years of age with a minimum body weight of 15kg:
Xyrem is administered orally twice nightly. Dosing recommendations are provided in Table 1.
Table 1 Sodium Oxybate Recommended Dose Initiation and Titration for Paediatric Patients
| Patient weight | Initial total daily dose (taken in 2 divided doses)* | Titration regimen (to clinical effect) | Recommended maximum total daily dose |
| 15kg – <20kg | < 1g/day | < 0.5g/day/week | 0.2g/kg/day |
| 20kg – <30kg | < 2g/day | < Ig/day/week | |
| 30kg – <45kg | < 3g/day | < Ig/day/week | |
| >45kg | < 4.5g/day | < 1.5g/day/week | 9g/day |
*At bedtime and 2.5 to 4 hours later. For children who sleep more than 8 hours per night, sodium oxybate may be given after bedtime, while the child is in bed, in two equally divided doses 2.5 to 4 hours apart.
The dose should be gradually titrated to effect based on efficacy and tolerability (see section 4.4). A minimum of one to two weeks is recommended between dosage increments. Sodium oxybate dose recommendations (initial dose, titration regimen and maximum dose) for paediatric patients are based on body weight. Therefore, patients should have their body weight checked at regular intervals especially during titration to ensure that the appropriate dose of sodium oxybate is administered.
The recommended maximum total daily dose is 0.2g/kg/day in paediatric patients weighing less than 45kg. For paediatric patients weighing 45kg or more the maximum total daily dose is 9g/day.
If sodium oxybate and valproate are used concomitantly (see section 4.5), a decrease in sodium oxybate dose by 20% is recommended e.g. 4.8g/day instead of 6g/day.
The safety and efficacy of sodium oxybate in children below 7 years of age has not been established and therefore sodium oxybate is not recommended below 7 years of age. Children below 15kg should not receive sodium oxybate.
Method of administration
Xyrem should be taken orally upon getting into bed and again between 2.5 to 4 hours later. It is recommended that both doses of Xyrem should be made up at the same time upon retiring to bed.
Xyrem is provided for use with a graduated measuring syringe and two 90 mL dosing cups with child resistant caps. Each measured dose of Xyrem must be dispensed into the dosing cup and diluted with 60 mL of water prior to ingestion. Because food significantly reduces the bioavailability of sodium oxybate, both adult and paediatric patients should eat at least several (2–3) hours before taking the first dose of Xyrem at bedtime. Adult and paediatric patients should always observe the same timing of dosing in relation to meals. Doses should be taken within 24 hours after preparation, or else discarded.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Patients with major depression.
Patients with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency.
Patients being treated with opioids or barbiturates.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Xyrem has the potential to induce respiratory depression
Respiratory and CNS depression
Sodium oxybate also has the potential to induce respiratory depression. Patients should be assessed before treatment for sleep apnoea and caution should be exercised when considering treatment. Apnoea and respiratory depression have been observed in a fasting healthy subject after a single intake of 4.5g (twice the recommended starting dose). During post-marketing surveillance, it has been observed that the use of sodium oxybate may predispose the patients to choking sensation during sleep. Patients should be questioned regarding signs of Central Nervous System (CNS) or respiratory depression. Special caution should be observed in patients with an underlying respiratory disorder. Patients should be monitored for signs of respiratory depression during treatment. Because of the higher risk of sleep apnoea, patients with a BMI >40 kg/m2 should be monitored closely when taking sodium oxybate.
Approximately 80% of patients who received sodium oxybate during clinical trials maintained CNS stimulant use. Whether this affected respiration during the night is unknown. Before increasing the sodium oxybate dose (see section 4.2), prescribers should be aware that sleep apnoea occurs in up to 50% of patients with narcolepsy.
- • Benzodiazepines
Given the possibility of increasing the risk of respiratory depression, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines and sodium oxybate should be avoided.
- • Alcohol and CNS depressants
The combined use of alcohol, or any CNS -depressant medicinal product, with sodium oxybate may result in potentiation of the CNS-depressant effects of sodium oxybate as well as increased risk of respiratory depression. Therefore, patients should be warned against the use of alcohol in conjunction with sodium oxybate.
- • Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) dehydrogenase inhibitors
Caution is required in patients who are treated concomitantly with valproate or other GHB dehydrogenase inhibitors as pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions have been observed when sodium oxybate is co-administered with valproate (see section 4.5). If concomitant use is warranted, dose adjustment is to be considered (see section 4.2).
Additionally, patient response and tolerability should be carefully monitored and dose should be adapted accordingly.
- • Topiramate
There have been clinical observation(s) of coma and increased plasma GHB concentration after co-administration of sodium oxybate with topiramate. Therefore, patients should be warned against the use of topiramate in conjunction with sodium oxybate (section 4.5).
Abuse potential and dependence
Sodium oxybate, which is as the sodium salt of GHB, is a CNS depressant active substance with well-known abuse potential. Prior to treatment physicians should evaluate patients for a history of or susceptibility to drug abuse. Patients should be routinely monitored and in the case of suspected abuse, treatment with sodium oxybate should be discontinued.
There have been case reports of dependence after illicit use of GHB at frequent repeated doses (18 to 250 g/day) in excess of the therapeutic dose range. Whilst there is no clear evidence of emergence of dependence in patients taking sodium oxybate at therapeutic doses, this possibility cannot be excluded.
Patients with porphyria
Sodium oxybate is considered to be unsafe in patients with porphyria because it has been shown to be porphyrogenic in animals or in vitro systems.
Neuropsychiatric events
Patients may become confused while being treated with sodium oxybate. If this occurs, they should be evaluated fully, and appropriate intervention considered on an individual basis. Other neuropsychiatric events include anxiety, psychosis, paranoia, hallucinations, and agitation. The emergence of thought disorders including thoughts of committing violent acts (including harming others) and/or behavioural abnormalities when patients are treated with sodium oxybate requires careful and immediate evaluation.
The emergence of depression when patients are treated with sodium oxybate requires careful and immediate evaluation. Patients with a previous history of affective disorders (including depressive illness, anxiety and bipolar disorder), suicide attempt and psychosis should be monitored especially carefully for the emergence of depressive symptoms and/or suicidal ideation while taking sodium oxybate. Major depression is contraindicated for use with sodium oxybate.(see section 4.3).
If a patient experiences urinary or faecal incontinence during sodium oxybate therapy, the prescriber should consider pursuing investigations to rule out underlying aetiologies.
Sleepwalking has been reported in patients treated in clinical trials with sodium oxybate. It is unclear if some or all of these episodes correspond to true somnambulism (a parasomnia occurring during non-REM sleep) or to any other specific medical disorder. The risk of injury or self-harm should be borne in mind in any patient with sleepwalking. Therefore, episodes of sleepwalking should be fully evaluated and appropriate interventions considered.
Paediatric Population:
Monitoring during titration phase
The patient’s tolerability, especially with regards to potential signs of central nervous system and respiratory depression, should be carefully monitored with each dose increase during titration. Careful monitoring should include that the parent/caregivers observe the child’s breath after sodium oxybate intake to assess if there is any abnormality in breathing during the first two hours, for example rude breathing, sleep apnoea, cyanosis of lips/face. If abnormality in breathing is observed medical support should be sought. If any abnormality is noted after the first dose, the second dose should not be administered. If no abnormality is noted the second dose can be administered. The second dose should not be given earlier than 2.5 hours or later than 4 hours after the first dose. In individual cases, e.g. if it is uncertain that the parent/caregivers can manage careful monitoring as described, sodium oxybate is not recommended unless medical supervision of treatment can be organized.
If in doubt about administration of a dose, do not re-administer the dose to reduce the risk of overdose.
Weight Loss
Weight decrease is common amongst patients treated with sodium oxybate (see section 4.8). For paediatric patients it is important that their weight is checked at regular intervals especially during dose titration to ensure that the appropriate dose of sodium oxybate is being administered (see section 4.2).
Neuropsychiatric events
For children and adolescents extra care should be taken to assess any potential suicidal or depressive conditions before starting treatment with sodium oxybate (see section 4.8) and to monitor any treatment-emergent events.
Alcohol and CNS depressants
Given the risk of alcohol intake among adolescents, it is noted that alcohol may further increase the CNS and respiratory depressant effects of sodium oxybate in children – adolescents taking sodium oxybate (see section 4.5).
Sodium intake
This medicinal product contains 182.24 mg sodium per 1 g of sodium oxybate dose, equivalent to 9.11% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
The maximum daily dose of this product is equivalent to 82% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake for sodium.
Xyrem is considered high in sodium. This should be particularly taken into account for those on a low salt diet.
A recommendation to reduce sodium intake should be carefully considered in the management of patients with heart failure, hypertension or compromised renal function (see section 4.2 and 4.9)
Elderly
There is very limited experience with sodium oxybate in the elderly. Therefore, elderly patients should be monitored closely for impaired motor and/or cognitive function when taking sodium oxybate.
Epileptic patients
Seizures have been observed in patients treated with sodium oxybate. In patients with epilepsy, the safety and efficacy of sodium oxybate has not been established, therefore use is not recommended.
Rebound effects and withdrawal syndrome
The discontinuation effects of sodium oxybate have not been systematically evaluated in controlled clinical trials. In some patients, cataplexy may return at a higher frequency on cessation of sodium oxybate therapy, however this may be due to the normal variability of the disease. Although the clinical trial experience with sodium oxybate in narcolepsy/cataplexy patients at therapeutic doses does not show clear evidence of a withdrawal syndrome, in rare cases, events such as insomnia, headache, anxiety, dizziness, sleep disorder, somnolence, hallucination, and psychotic disorders were observed after GHB discontinuation.
Educational Materials
In order to assist prescribers, and patients/caregivers about the important information for Xyrem educational materials will be provided to them. In particular the materials will reinforce that for paediatric patients, an initial assessment of the patient should be performed with regard to growth and learning ability and that in addition to any side effects, any behaviour changes (social and learning), should be reported to the child’s healthcare provider.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The combined use of alcohol with sodium oxybate may result in potentiation of the central nervous system-depressant effects of sodium oxybate. Patients should be warned against the use of any alcoholic beverages in conjunction with sodium oxybate.
Sodium oxybate should not be used in combination with sedative hypnotics or other CNS depressants.
Sedative hypnotics
Drug interaction studies in healthy adults with sodium oxybate (single dose of 2.25 g) and lorazepam (single dose of 2 mg) and zolpidem tartrate (single dose of 5 mg) demonstrated no pharmacokinetic interactions. Increased sleepiness was observed after concomitant administration of sodium oxybate (2.25 g) and lorazepam (2 mg). The pharmacodynamic interaction with zolpidem has not been assessed. When higher doses up to 9 g/d of sodium oxybate are combined with higher doses of hypnotics (within the recommended dose range) pharmacodynamic interactions associated with symptoms of CNS depression and/or respiratory depression cannot be excluded (see section 4.3).
Tramadol
A drug interaction study in healthy adults with sodium oxybate (single dose of 2.25 g) and tramadol (single dose of 100 mg) demonstrated no pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic interaction. When higher doses up to 9 g/day of sodium oxybate are combined with higher doses of opioids (within the recommended dose range) pharmacodynamic interactions associated with symptoms of CNS depression and/or respiratory depression cannot be excluded (see sections 4.3).
Antidepressants
Drug interaction studies in healthy adults demonstrated no pharmacokinetic interactions between sodium oxybate (single dose of 2.25 g) and the antidepressants protriptyline hydrochloride (single dose of 10 mg) and duloxetine (60 mg at steady state). No additional effect on sleepiness was observed when comparing single doses of sodium oxybate alone (2.25 g) and sodium oxybate (2.25 g) in combination with duloxetine (60 mg at steady state). Antidepressants have been used in the treatment of cataplexy. A possible additive effect of antidepressants and sodium oxybate cannot be excluded. The rate of adverse reactions has increased when sodium oxybate is co-administered with tricyclic antidepressants.
Modafinil
A drug interaction study in healthy adults demonstrated no pharmacokinetic interactions between sodium oxybate (single dose of 4.5 g) and modafinil (single dose of 200 mg). Sodium oxybate has been administered concomitantly with CNS stimulant agents in approximately 80% of patients in clinical studies in narcolepsy. Whether this affected respiration during the night is unknown.
Omeprazole
The co-administration of omeprazole has no clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of sodium oxybate. The dose of sodium oxybate therefore does not require adjustment when given concomitantly with proton pump inhibitors.
Ibuprofen
Drug interaction studies in healthy adults demonstrated no pharmacokinetic interactions between sodium oxybate and ibuprofen.
Diclofenac
Drug interaction studies in healthy adults demonstrated no pharmacokinetic interactions between sodium oxybate and diclofenac. Co-administration of sodium oxybate and diclofenac in healthy volunteers reduced the attention deficit caused by the administration of sodium oxybate alone as measured by psychometric tests.
GHB dehydrogenase inhibitors
Since sodium oxybate is metabolised by GHB dehydrogenase there is a potential risk of an interaction with medicinal products that stimulate or inhibit this enzyme (e.g. valproate, phenytoin or ethosuximide) (see section 4.4).
The co-administration of sodium oxybate (6 g per day) with valproate (1250 mg per day) resulted in an increase in systemic exposure to sodium oxybate by approximately 25% and no significant change in Cmax. No effect on the pharmacokinetics of valproate was observed. The resulting pharmacodynamic effects, including increased impairment in cognitive function and sleepiness, were greater with co-administration than those observed with either drug alone. If concomitant use is warranted, patient response and tolerability should be monitored and dose adjustments made if required (see section 4.2).
Topiramate
Possible pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions when sodium oxybate is used concomitantly with topiramate cannot be excluded as clinical observation(s) of coma, and increased plasma GHB concentration were reported in a patient(s) under concomitant use of sodium oxybate and topiramate (section 4.4).
Studies in vitro with pooled human liver microsomes indicate that sodium oxybate does not significantly inhibit the activities of the human isoenzymes (see section 5.2).
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
Animal studies have shown no evidence of teratogenicity but embryo lethality was seen in both rat and rabbit studies (see section 5.3).
Data from a limited number of pregnant women exposed in the first trimester indicate a possible increased risk of spontaneous abortions. To date no other relevant epidemiological data are available. Limited data from pregnant patients during second and third trimester indicate no malformative or foeto/neonatal toxicity of sodium oxybate.
Sodium oxybate is not recommended during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Sodium oxybate and/or its metabolites are excreted into breast milk. Changes in sleep patterns have been observed in breastfed infants from exposed mothers, which may be consistent with the effects of sodium oxybate on the nervous system. Sodium Oxybate should not be used during breastfeeding.
Fertility
There is no clinical data available on the effect of sodium oxybate on fertility. Studies in male and female rats at doses up to 1,000 mg/kg/day GHB have shown no evidence of an adverse effect on fertility.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Sodium oxybate has major influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
For at least 6 hours after taking sodium oxybate, patients must not undertake activities requiring complete mental alertness or motor co-ordination, such as operating machinery or driving.
When patients first start taking sodium oxybate, until they know whether this medicinal product will still have some carryover effect on them the next day, they should use extreme care while driving a car, operating heavy machines, or performing any other task that could be dangerous or require full mental alertness.
For paediatric patients, physicians and parents or caregivers are advised that if the daily dose to body weight ratio exceeds 0.1g/kg/day, the waiting time may be longer than 6 hours depending on individual sensitivity.
4.8 Undesirable effects
Summary of the safety profile
Clinical Studies
The safety profile was qualitatively the same in adult and paediatric studies.
In adults the most commonly reported adverse reactions were dizziness, nausea, and headache, all occurring in 10% to 20% of patients. The most serious adverse reactions are suicidal attempt, psychosis, respiratory depression and convulsion.
In adults the efficacy and safety of sodium oxybate for the treatment of narcolepsy symptoms was established in four multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trials in patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy except for one trial where cataplexy was not required for enrolment. Two Phase 3 and one Phase 2 double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled studies were performed to assess the indication of sodium oxybate for fibromyalgia in adults. Additionally, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover drug-drug interaction studies with ibuprofen, diclofenac and valproate were performed in healthy adult subjects and are summarised in section 4.5.
Post-marketing experience
In addition to the adverse reactions reported during clinical studies, adverse reactions have been reported in post-marketing experience. It is not always possible to reliably estimate the frequency of their incidence in the population to be treated.
Tabulated summary of adverse reactions
Undesirable effects are listed according to MedDRA System Organ Class.
Frequency estimate: very common (> 1/10); common (> 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (> 1/1000 to < 1/100); rare (> 1/10,000 to < 1/1000); very rare (< 1/10,000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
Infections and infestations
Common: nasopharyngitis, sinusitis
Immune system disorders
Uncommon: hypersensitivity
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Common: anorexia, decreased appetite
Not known: Dehydration, increased appetite
Psychiatric disorders
Common: depression, cataplexy, anxiety, abnormal dreams, confusional state, disorientation, nightmares, sleepwalking, sleep disorder, insomnia, middle insomnia, nervousness
Uncommon: suicide attempt, psychosis, paranoia, hallucination, abnormal thinking, agitation, initial insomnia
Not known: suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, aggression, euphoric mood, sleep-related eating disorder, panic attack, mania / bipolar disorder, delusion, bruxism, irritability and increased libido
Nervous system disorders
Very common: dizziness, headache
Common: sleep paralysis, somnolence, tremor, balance disorder, disturbance in attention, hypoaesthesia, paraesthesia, sedation, dysgeusia
Uncommon: myoclonus, amnesia, restless legs syndrome
Not known: convulsion, loss of consciousness, dyskinesia
Eye disorders
Common: blurred vision
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Common: vertigo
Not known tinnitus
Cardiac disorders
Common: palpitations
Vascular disorders
Common: hypertension
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Common: dyspnoea, snoring, nasal congestion
Not known : respiratory depression, sleep apnoea, choking sensation
Gastrointestinal disorders
Very common: nausea (the frequency of nausea is higher in women than men)
Common: vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain upper, Uncommon : faecal incontinence
Not known : dry mouth
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Common: hyperhidrosis, rash
Not known: urticaria, angioedema, seborrhea
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Common: arthralgia, muscle, spasms, back pain
Renal and urinary disorders
Common: enuresis nocturna, urinary incontinence
Not known: pollakiuria / micturition urgency, nocturia
General disorders and administration site conditions
Common: asthenia, fatigue, feeling drunk, oedema peripheral
Investigations
Common: blood pressure increased, weight decreased
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Common: fall
Description of selected adverse reactions
In some patients, cataplexy may return at a higher frequency on cessation of sodium oxybate therapy, however this may be due to the normal variability of the disease. Although the clinical trial experience with sodium oxybate in narcolepsy/cataplexy patients at therapeutic doses does not show clear evidence of a withdrawal syndrome, in rare cases, adverse reactions such as insomnia, headache, anxiety, dizziness, sleep disorder, somnolence, hallucination, and psychotic disorders were observed after GHB discontinuation.
Special Populations
Paediatric population
In the paediatric population the efficacy and safety of sodium oxybate for the treatment of narcolepsy with cataplexy symptoms was established in a phase 2/3 double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized-withdrawal multicenter study.
In a study in children and adolescents the most frequently reported related TEAEs were enuresis (18.3%), nausea (12.5%), vomiting (8.7%), and weight decreased (8.7%), decreased appetite (6.7%), headache (5.8%), dizziness (5.8%). Adverse drug reactions of suicidal ideation (1%) and of acute psychosis (1%) were also reported. (see section 4.4 and section 5).
In some children between 7 and < 18 years, postmarketing surveillance has shown that sodium oxybate was discontinued due to abnormal behaviour, aggression and mood alteration.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system listed in
4.9 Overdose
Information about signs and symptoms associated with overdose with sodium oxybate is limited. Most data derives from the illicit use of GHB. Sodium oxybate is the sodium salt of GHB. Events associated with withdrawal syndrome have been observed outside the therapeutic range.
Symptoms
Patients have exhibited varying degrees of depressed consciousness that may fluctuate rapidly between a confusional, agitated combative state with ataxia and coma. Emesis (even with impaired consciousness), diaphoresis, headache, and impaired psychomotor skills may be observed. Blurred vision has been reported. An increasing depth of coma has been observed at higher doses as well as acidosis. Myoclonus and tonic-clonic seizures have been reported. There are reports of compromise in the rate and depth of respiration and of life-threatening respiratory depression, necessitating intubation and ventilation. Cheyne-Stokes respiration and apnoea have been observed. Bradycardia and hypothermia may accompany unconsciousness, as well as muscular hypotonia, but tendon reflexes remain intact. Bradycardia has been responsive to atropine intravenous administration. Events of hypernatremia with metabolic alkalosis have been reported in the context of concomitant use of NaCl infusion.
Management
Gastric lavage may be considered if co-ingestants are suspected. Because emesis may occur in the presence of impaired consciousness, appropriate posture (left lateral recumbent position) and protection of the airway by intubation may be warranted. Although gag reflex may be absent in deeply comatose patients, even unconscious patients may become combative to intubation, and rapid sequence induction (without the use of sedative) should be considered.
No reversal of the central depressant effects of sodium oxybate can be expected from flumazenil administration. There is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of naloxone in the treatment of overdose with GHB. The use of haemodialysis and other forms of extracorporeal medicinal product removal have not been studied in sodium oxybate overdose, but has been reported in cases of acidosis due to GHB overdose. However, due to the rapid metabolism of sodium oxybate, these measures may not be warranted.
5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Other nervous system drugs, ATC code: N07XX04.
Mechanism of action
Sodium oxybate is a central nervous system depressant which reduces excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy and modifies sleep architecture reducing fragmented nighttime sleep. The precise mechanism by which sodium oxybate produces an effect is unknown, however sodium oxybate is thought to act by promoting slow (delta) wave sleep and consolidating night-time sleep. Sodium oxybate administered before nocturnal sleep increases Stages 3 and 4 sleep and increases sleep latency, whilst reducing the frequency of sleep onset REM periods (SOREMPs). Other mechanisms, which have yet to be elucidated, may also be involved. In the clinical trial database, greater than 80 % of patients maintained concomitant stimulant use.
Adults
The effectiveness of sodium oxybate for the treatment of narcolepsy symptoms was established in four multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trials (Trial 1, 2, 3 and 4) in patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy except for trial 2 where cataplexy was not required for enrolment Concomitant stimulant use was permitted in all trials (except for the active-treatment phase of Trial 2); antidepressants were withdrawn prior to active treatment in all trials with the exception of Trial 2. In each trial, the daily dose was divided into two equal doses. The first dose each night was taken at bedtime and the second dose was taken 2.5 to 4 hours later.
Table 2 Summary of clinical trials performed using sodium oxybate for the treatment of narcolepsy
| Trial | Primary Efficacy | N | Secondary Efficacy | Duration | Active treatment and Dose (g/d) |
| Trial 1 | EDS (ESS); CGIc | 246 | MWT/Sleep Architecture/ Cataplexy/Naps/FOSQ | 8 weeks | Sodium oxybate4.5 – 9 |
| Trial 2 | EDS (MWT) | 231 | Sleep Architecture/ ESS/CGIc/Naps | 8 weeks | Sodium oxybate 6 – 9 Modafinil 200–600 mg |
| Trial 3 | Cataplexy | 136 | EDS (ESS)/CGIc/Naps | 4 weeks | Sodium oxybate 3 – 9 |
| Trial 4 | Cataplexy | 55 | None | 4 weeks | Sodium oxybate 3 – 9 |
EDS – Excessive daytime sleepiness; ESS – Epworth Sleepiness Scale; MWT – Maintenance of Wakefulness Test; Naps – Number of inadvertent daytime naps; CGIc – Clinical Global Impression of Change; FOSQ – Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire
Trial 1 enrolled 246 patients with narcolepsy and incorporated a 1 week up-titration period. The primary measures of efficacy were changes in excessive daytime sleepiness as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the change in the overall severity of the patient’s narcolepsy symptoms as assessed by the investigator using the Clinical Global Impressions of Change (CGI-c) measure.
Table 3 Summary of ESS in Trial 1
| Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS; range 0–24) | ||||
| Dose Group [g/d (n)] | Baseline | Endpoint | Median Change from Baseline | Change from Baseline Compared to Placebo (p-value) |
| Placebo (60) | 17.3 | 16.7 | –0.5 | – |
| 4.5 (68) | 17.5 | 15.7 | –1.0 | 0.119 |
| 6 (63) | 17.9 | 15.3 | –2.0 | 0.001 |
| 9 (55) | 17.9 | 13.1 | –2.0 | < 0.001 |
Table 4 Summary of CGI-c in Trial 1
| Clinical Global Impressions of Change (CGI-c) | ||
| Dose Group [g/d (n)] | Responders* N (%) | Change from Baseline Compared to Placebo (p-value) |
| Placebo (60) | 13 (21.7) | – |
| 4.5 (68) | 32 (47.1) | 0.002 |
| 6 (63) | 30 (47.6) | < 0.001 |
| 9 (55) | 30 (54.4) | < 0.001 |
-
* The CGI-c data were analysed by defining responders as those patients who were very much improved or much improved.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Sodium oxybate is rapidly and almost completely absorbed after oral administration; absorption is delayed and decreased by a high fat meal. It is eliminated mainly by metabolism with a half-life of 0.5 to 1 hour. Pharmacokinetics is nonlinear with the area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) versus time curve increasing 3.8-fold as dose is doubled from 4.5 g to 9 g. The pharmacokinetics is not altered with repeat dosing.
Absorption
Sodium oxybate is absorbed rapidly following oral administration with an absolute bioavailability of about 88 %. The average peak plasma concentrations (1st and 2nd peak) following administration of a 9 g daily dose divided into two equivalent doses given four hours apart were 78 and 142 |jg/mL, respectively. The average time to peak plasma concentration (Tmax) ranged from 0.5 to 2 hours in eight pharmacokinetic studies. Following oral administration, the plasma levels of sodium oxybate increase more than proportionally with increasing dose. Single doses greater than 4.5 g have not been studied. Administration of sodium oxybate immediately after a high fat meal resulted in delayed absorption (average Tmax increased from 0.75 hr to 2.0 hr) and a reduction in peak plasma level (Cmax) by a mean of 58% and of systemic exposure (AUC) by 37% Distribution
Sodium oxybate is a hydrophilic compound with an apparent volume of distribution averaging 190384 mL/kg. At sodium oxybate concentrations ranging from 3 to 300 ^g/mL, less than 1% is bound to plasma proteins.
Biotransformation
Animal studies indicate that metabolism is the major elimination pathway for sodium oxybate, producing carbon dioxide and water via the tricarboxylic acid (Krebs) cycle and secondarily by p-oxidation. The primary pathway involves a cytosolic NADP±linked enzyme, GHB dehydrogenase, that catalyses the conversion of sodium oxybate to succinic semialdehyde, which is then biotransformed to succinic acid by the enzyme succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase. Succinic acid enters the Krebs cycle where it is metabolised to carbon dioxide and water. A second mitochondrial oxidoreductase enzyme, a transhydrogenase, also catalyses the conversion to succinic semialdehyde in the presence of a-ketoglutarate. An alternate pathway of biotransformation involves p-oxidation via 3,4-dihydroxybutyrate to Acetyl CoA, which also enters the citric acid cycle to result in the formation of carbon dioxide and water. No active metabolites have been identified.
Studies in vitro with pooled human liver microsomes indicate that sodium oxybate does not significantly inhibit the activities of the human isoenzymes: CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, or CYP3A up to the concentration of 3 mM (378 ^g/mL). These levels are considerably higher than levels achieved with therapeutic doses.
Elimination
The clearance of sodium oxybate is almost entirely by biotransformation to carbon dioxide, which is then eliminated by expiration. On average, less than 5% of unchanged medicinal product appears in human urine within 6 to 8 hours after dosing. Faecal excretion is negligible.
Special populations
Elderly
In a limited number of patients greater than the age of 65 years the pharmacokinetics of sodium oxybate was not different compared to patients younger than 65 years of age.
Paediatric population
The major pharmacokinetic characteristics of sodium oxybate in paediatric subjects are the same as those reported in pharmacokinetic studies of sodium oxybate in adults
Paediatric and adult subjects receiving the same mg/kg dose have similar plasma concentration-time profiles. (see section 4.2)
Renal impairment
Because the kidney does not have a significant role in the excretion of sodium oxybate, no pharmacokinetic study in patients with renal dysfunction has been conducted; no effect of renal function on sodium oxybate pharmacokinetics would be expected.
Hepatic impairment
Sodium oxybate undergoes significant presystemic (hepatic first-pass) metabolism. After a single oral dose of 25 mg/kg, AUC values were double in cirrhotic patients, with apparent oral clearance reduced from 9.1 in healthy adults to 4.5 and 4.1 mL/min/kg in Class A (without ascites) and Class C (with ascites) patients, respectively. Elimination half-life was significantly longer in Class C and Class A patients than in control subjects (mean t1/2 of 59 and 32 versus 22 minutes). The starting dose should be halved in all patients with hepatic impairment, and response to dose increments monitored closely (see section 4.2).
Race
The effect of race on metabolism of sodium oxybate has not been evaluated.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
Repeat administration of sodium oxybate to rats (90 days and 26 weeks) and dogs (52 weeks) did not result in any significant findings in clinical chemistry and micro- and macro pathology. Treatment-related clinical signs were mainly related to sedation, reduced food consumption and secondary changes in body weight, body weight gain and organ weights. The rat and dog exposures at the NOEL were lower (~50%) than that in humans. Sodium oxybate was non-mutagenic and non-clastogenic in in vitro and in vivo assays.
Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL), a pro-drug of GHB tested at exposures similar to the expected in man (1.21–1.64 times) has been classified by NTP as non-carcinogenic in rats and equivocal carcinogen in mice, due to slight increase of pheochromocytomas which was difficult to interpret due to high mortality in the high dose group. In a rat carcinogenicity study with oxybate no compound-related tumours were identified.
GHB had no effect on mating, general fertility or sperm parameters and did not produce embryo-foetal toxicity in rats exposed to up 1000 mg/kg/day GHB (1.64 times the human exposure calculated in nonpregnant animals). Perinatal mortality was increased and mean pup weight was decreased during the lactation period in high-dose F1 animals. The association of these developmental effects with maternal toxicity could not be established. In rabbits, slight foetotoxicity was observed.
In a 10-week repeat dose toxicity study conducted in juvenile rats treated from postnatal day 21 to 90, sodium oxybate produced adverse effects including mortalities during the first week of treatment, when animals were 21 to 27 days old, corresponding to an approximate age of 3–4 years in children. Acute toxicity appeared at exposures below those expected in paediatric patients and mortality was preceded by sodium oxybate-related clinical signs (bradypnea, deep breathing, decreased activity, uncoordinated gait, impaired righting reflex), in line with its expected pharmacology. The reason for this relatively stronger toxicity during the first week of treatment is not fully clear. It could be related to the fact that young animals appear to exhibit higher systemic exposure than older juvenile rats. It could also be due to higher sensitivity of pups to sodium oxybate compared to older juvenile and adult rats and/or to a tolerance development phenomenon. Reduced body weight and food consumption similarly as in adults were also observed, with additional respiratory signs (deep and slow breathing). Sodium oxybate did not produce adverse effects on growth and development up to exposure levels 2-to 4-fold higher than the exposure expected at the maximum recommended dose in paediatric subjects (200mg/kg/day in paediatric patients with body weight less than 45kg or 9g/day for paediatric patients with body weight >45kg).
Drug discrimination studies show that GHB produces a unique discriminative stimulus that in some respects is similar to that of alcohol, morphine and certain GABA-mimetic medicinal products. Selfadministration studies in rats, mice and monkeys have produced conflicting results, whereas tolerance to GHB as well as cross-tolerance to alcohol and baclofen has been clearly demonstrated in rodents.
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS6.1 List of excipients
Purified water
Malic acid for pH adjustment
Sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment
6.2 Incompatibilities
This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.
6.3 Shelf life
5 years
After first opening: 90 days
After dilution in the dosing cups, the preparation should be used within 24 hours.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
For storage conditions after first opening of the medicinal product, see section 6.3
For storage conditions after dilution of the medicinal product, see section 6.3.
6.5 Nature and contents of container and special equipment for use
180 mL solution in an amber oval 240 mL PET bottle which is delivered with a plastic/foil seal and closed with a child resistant closure composed of HDPE/polypropylene with a pulpboard inner liner.
Each carton contains one bottle, a press-in bottle adaptor, a graduated measuring device (polypropylene syringe), two polypropylene dosing cups and two HDPE child resistant screw closures.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
No special requirements
7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
UCB Pharma SA
Allée de la Recherche 60
B-1070 Brussels
Belgium
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER
EU/1/05/312/001
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF AUTHORISATION
Date for first authorisation: 13 October 2005
Date of latest renewal: 08 September 2015