How should I take sodium oxybate?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Sodium oxybate can slow or stop your breathing, even at regular doses or if you are also taking stimulant medicine. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Sodium oxybate may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Do not allow anyone else to use this medicine.
Take sodium oxybate at least 2 hours after a meal. It is important to take sodium oxybate at the same time each night.
Sodium oxybate must be taken at bedtime and again 2.5 to 4 hours later. This medicine works very fast and should be taken while you are sitting in bed ready for sleep. Prepare both doses while you are getting ready for bed. Place the second dose next to your bed so you can take it without getting up. You will most likely need to set an alarm to awaken for the second dose.
Each dose of sodium oxybate must be mixed with two ounces (one quarter cup) of water in the child-resistant dosing cups provided with the medication. Both doses must be used within the same night. Throw away any sodium oxybate dose that has been mixed with water but not used within 24 hours of mixing.
Do not stop using sodium oxybate suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using sodium oxybate.
Your doctor will need to check your progress every 3 months.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.
Do not keep leftover sodium oxybate liquid. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, pour any unused liquid medicine down a sink drain.