What Sodium Oxybate Is:
JZP-6 (sodium oxybate) is the active ingredient in the narcolepsy drug Xyrem. Sodium oxybate carries a risk of addiction and abuse, so it's classified as a Schedule III controlled substance. That means it's only available to people meeting strict eligibility requirements and close monitoring is required during use.
What Sodium Oxybate Does:
Sodium oxybate is a central nervous system depressant that's thought to help you attain the deeper stage 3 and stage 4 levels of sleep. In people with narcolepsy, it can help reduce daytime sleepiness and cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle strength).
Sodium Oxybate for Fibromyalgia:
Some people already take Xyrem, off label, for fibromyalgia and anecdotal evidence supports its use. Clinical trials have shown that the drug can significantly improve sleep quality and reduce pain in people with this condition. The first 2 Phase III trials have been wrapped up but the findings are not yet released. Jazz Pharmaceuticals submitted a New Drug Application to the FDA in late 2009.
Sources: NIH Publication NO. 04-5326. June 2007, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "Living with Fibromyalgia".
