Sodium oxybate is a central nervous system depressant used to treat cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) associated with narcolepsy. It is a sodium salt of gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid, an endogenous cerebral inhibitory neurotransmitter and a metabolite of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 6 references
The physiological actions of sodium oxybate are mediated by gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), its active compound. While the exact mechanism of action of GHB in narcolepsy is not fully understood, it is suggested that GHB has multiple modes of action.
At low doses, GHB binds to high- and low-affinity G-protein-coupled GHB receptors. Activation of GHB receptors leads to the release of glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter. At higher doses, GHB activates GABAB receptors at noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurons, as well as at thalamocortical neurons that are involved in sleep-wake regulation, attention and vigilance. GHB metabolizes to GABA, which modulates GABAA and GABAC receptors.
- Primary indication
- Sodium oxybate is a central nervous system depressant indicated for the treatment of cataplexy or excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in patients with narcolepsy.Curator reviewed · 4 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C4H7NaO3 · 126.087 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2017 · United States, 2002 · European Union, 2020
- Also known as
- Oxybate sodium
- Code names
- FT218 · JZP-258 · NSC-84223 · WY-3478
- Brand names
Resolves to
XYGBKMMCQDZQOZ-UHFFFAOYSA-MSMILES[Na+].OCCCC([O-])=OWhat you can answer from here — as of June 09, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Sodium oxybate, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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