ADR that result in revision of patient information
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| The United States: Xyrem (sodium oxybate): Drug Safety Communication - Warning Against Use With Alcohol or Drugs Causing Respiratory Depression |
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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminded healthcare professionals and patients that the combined use of Xyrem (sodium oxybate) with alcohol or central nervous system (CNS) depressant drugs can markedly impair consciousness and may lead to severe breathing problems (respiratory depression). The use of alcohol with Xyrem is a new contraindication added to the Xyrem label, which already contraindicates its use with insomnia drugs. The use of Xyrem with other CNS depressant drugs (drugs that affect the CNS and may lead to breathing problems) such as opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, sedating antidepressants or antipsychotics, general anesthetics, and muscle relaxants should generally be avoided. The use of Xyrem along with these products or other CNS depressants increases the risk of breathing problems that may lead to loss of consciousness, coma, and death.
Xyrem (sodium oxybate) is FDA-approved to reduce attacks of muscle weakness (cataplexy) and treat daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy. Sodium oxybate, the active ingredient of Xyrem, is also known as gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). GHB is a known drug of abuse that has been associated with central nervous system (CNS) adverse events, including death. Even at recommended doses, Xyrem can cause confusion, depression, and other neuropsychiatric events.
Healthcare professionals are urged to follow the dosing recommendations, contraindications, and boxed warning in the updated Xyrem drug label and to avoid drug combinations that raise the risk of respiratory depression and death. Patients taking Xyrem should not drink alcohol or take insomnia drugs.
Please refer to the following website in FDA for details:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/../ucm332430.htm
In Hong Kong, the above product is not a registered pharmaceutical product.
Ends/ Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:00
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