Xyrem Alcohol Interaction

Xyrem Alcohol

Xyrem generic name sodium oxybate given to a family of drugs known as central nervous depressant and is used to reduce the number of cataplexy attacks which is a sudden loss of muscle strength. It is also used to reduce daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy.

It is suggested moderate drinking only while using this drug as the drug’s effectiveness may be decreased and the side effects may be increased.

At this time the medical community defines moderate consumption of alcohol as no more than two drinks per day and no more than 14 drinks per week. If anything more than that it is considered an unhealthy dependency on alcohol that may have adverse social, family and health consequences.

If a person drinks only once or twice a week but drinks on the same days each week and more than two drinks this is considered as an alcohol dependency.

If a person binge drinks at any time during the week this is also considered as alcoholism.

Some consider alcoholism as a disease while others consider it an addiction which is the result of personal choice and character fault. This school of thought blames the alcoholism on life style choices.

Personally I consider alcoholism a genetic tendency as I have seen families of alcoholics even when they live far apart. These unfortunate people are probably dependent on alcohol from the first drink.

When alcohol interacts with prescription or over the counter drugs it usually results in negative health effects most especially liver damage as the main organ affected.

Before using this drug advise your doctor if you are allergic to any other drug or substance, if you are using dietary or herbal supplements, are pregnant, plan to be or are breastfeeding, have a history of kidney or liver disease, taking other medication that causes drowsiness, have a rare metabolic disorder called, succinic semialsehyde dehydrogenase deficiency, heart disease, high blood pressure, history of alcohol or drug abuse, lung disorder such as asthma, emphysema or bronchitis, sleep apnea, depression or suicidal thoughts, mental illness such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Side Effects

Less serious side effects are agitation, paranoia, bladder or bowel control, depression, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, runny stuffy nose, sore throat, numb or tingling, tremors or blurred vision.. If these occur call your physician for advice.

Serious side effects are severe allergic reactions such as hives difficult breathing, tight chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue, hallucinations, severe confusion, shallow breathing, sleepwalking, waking or confused behaviour at night.If these occur get emergency medical help.

This site serves as an information source only and does not dispense medical advice or any other kind of advice. If you are seeking medical advice you are advised to consult your own physician.

Xyrem Alcohol Xyrem Alcohol


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