Xyrem User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)
Xyrem has an average rating of 7.7 out of 10 from a total of 101 reviews on Drugs.com. 70% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 14% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Xyrem
- orders
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- October 25, 2015
For Narcolepsy "I have been on this medication for narcolepsy with cataplexy since 2013. It's the only drug to have helped me be able to keep driving, and be awake during the day when I'm supposed to and sleep so good at night. It's truly a blessing!!! The side effects are nonexistent for the most part. I highly recommend it!!!"
- Anonymous
- March 8, 2011
For Narcolepsy "I started taking Xyrem about four weeks ago. It is very easy to take and since taking 4.5 g 2x/night, I know pretty accurately when I will wake up (midnight alarm is not needed). I am also taking Adderall 5-10 mg 2-3x/day and I no longer feel tired and am very focused during classes. Since taking Xyrem, even at the highest dose, the only adverse side effect I have had is nausea, if I don't go to sleep within 20 minutes after taking it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between Xywav and Xyrem?
- Will Xyrem show up on a drug test?
- Does Xyrem cause weight gain or loss?
- How does Xyrem work for narcolepsy?
- Flagh...
- October 5, 2009
For Narcolepsy "I have been taking Xyrem since it was in research. Then it was a powder that you mixed each night before bed. While it has changed my life for the better. There are some side effects. One is after starting just once I did wet the bed. I had been warned that this might happen. So with proper protection in place no mess. One more side effect is intense hunger after taking the dose. Some people quit the study over that side effect. The price of Xyrem is so high. These are just my experiences everyone is different. But for my narcolepsy I have a new lease on life. One where I can pay attention and stay awake."
- kslater
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- November 2, 2012
For Narcolepsy "I noticed a lot of complaints about nausea. Do not eat anything for at least 2 hours before you take it. When I first started taking it I would wake up pouring sweat and throwing up. I finally figured it out though. If I take my first dose at bedtime, I fight it and don't sleep. So what seems to work now is going to bed and a couple hours later then take dose (I always have to pee anyway). "
Are you taking this medicine?
- John...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 23, 2013
For Narcolepsy "Took my first dose Saturday night. Wow! What a difference the next morning, I was wide awake, alert and hot to go to my work and my college lessons! As I write this I have been on Xyrem for about three months, and recently started having hand tremors occasionally. I noticed that one other person ("Anonymous") mentioned shaking; once in awhile my tremors are strong. Xyrem certainly has cured my severe narcolepsy, which began about a year ago without warning. I am glad to see that several people have been on Xyrem for years without any adverse side effects, and no withdrawal symptoms when they stopped briefly. "
- Cindy...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- June 8, 2017
For Narcolepsy "My experience with Xyrem started about 12 years ago. The first few months where very hard. If I moved after taking it, I would vomit. The headaches were almost unbearable and I lost weight, but after the first few months and 12 years later, the only side effects I have now are night sweats and I can keep that in control if I drink enough water throughout the day. I can't even remember my life before Xyrem but I know that it gave me my life back."
More FAQ
- Is Xyrem a controlled substance / narcotic drug of abuse?
- How much sodium is in Xyrem?
- Can any doctor prescribe Xyrem?
- Can you take Xyrem while pregnant?
- cbano
- July 6, 2015
For Narcolepsy "I'm still in the early stages of taking XYREM (week 6), but it has changed my life. I almost never take naps, and have had my narcoleptic episodes significantly reduced. I get around 8 hours of sleep every night, and can stay awake with no issues all day. Sometimes in the morning I feel a little groggy, but can't get back to sleep which i'm sure is just the medicine wearing off as it goes away shortly after I get up and about."
- 69andup
- Taken for 10 years or more
- January 19, 2015
For Fibromyalgia "Dramatically reduced pain, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and fuzzy thinking. The last time I skipped taking Xyrem, I was unable to go to sleep all night. I am concerned about this should I need to quit taking it."
- Doggjr
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- January 23, 2019
For Narcolepsy "My wifes experience with this medication had been horrible. I have seen her take this medicine and within 15 minutes she is asleep. She is delusional and acts in a child like manner also. She falls asleep standing at times and has had a few bad falls also. Recently she fell in the bathroom and was up against the door and it took me two hours to get her out. My wife has been experiencing delusion and paranoia but she has become addicted to it also. I am now reaching out to Drs to help with all of this and as of now I have found zero help."
- Anonymous
- March 10, 2011
For Narcolepsy "I have been on this medicine for 4 months, and it is the first time that I can actually wake up without feeling tired. It had gotten to the point that I was falling asleep at the wheel and at work. Now I feel like a new man. My sex life has come back to the level like I am 20 years old. Great medicine."
- Anonymous
- March 17, 2009
For Narcolepsy "Xyrem is life changing. I have been taking a free sample of Xyrem for 4 weeks and now for the 1st time I wake up feeling refreshed and awake. I no longer feel like a narcoleptic. Before Xyrem, each day I crawled out of bed with an indescribable level of exhaustion and I reached for the Dexedrine pills just to drag through another day. "
- MCano
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 22, 2018
For Narcolepsy "I had to ramp up to the highest dose before it put me to sleep - before that, I'd be in a weird state but not asleep. When I did get to a dose that would put me to sleep, I would take it (10 pm), sleep for 2 hours and wake up (12 am). Then I'd have to wait an hour for the 3 hour minimum before I could take the second dose (1 am). Then I'd wake up after 2 hours again (3 am). I would be in a state I describe as somewhere between a panic attack and a hangover. I couldn't read or really do anything - I'd just have to sit there and wait for it to wear off around dawn. It didn't work for me."
- sleep...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 1, 2016
For Narcolepsy "I have mixed feelings about this medication. When you put aside all the side effects, it's great. It's doesn't quite put me to sleep as quickly as they say, but when I am asleep it is the best sleep I've had in a VERY long time! But sometimes I feel the side effects out way the sleep. If you have any kind of depression.. I would be very careful. The nausea can be very bad, my legs turn into jello, I can get very irritable, I don't have much of an appetite, and I have to take a stimulant in the morning for the grogginess. But even with all of that, I would still recommend this medication because it works. It definitely helps with narcolepsy and my cataplexy. I was very nervous about trying it, but I love my doctor for pushing me to try it!"
- Brother
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- July 18, 2020
For Narcolepsy "I tried ritalin, adderall, adderall XR, but nothing worked very well for my narcolepsy. During the day, I always felt that I could fall asleep within 5-10 minutes if I wanted to no matter what was going on. I switched doctors and the new doctor prescribed Xyrem. For me, it has been life-changing! I can read books for hours without getting drowsy, which never was the case previously. The only issue is taking a dose in the middle of the night, as sometimes I can sleep through the alarm. I then have to reduce the size of the dose so I can get up when my 2nd alarm goes off. It works well-try it!"
- Anonymous
- April 28, 2010
For Narcolepsy "The first couple nights, I experienced horrible nightmares in which I could not awake from until 2 1/2 hours later when my alarm finally sounded. The next week, my dosage was increased which I experienced severe weakness, dizziness and vomiting. The third week, my dosage was again increased and I experienced the inability to go to sleep. These side effects caused me to discontinue the medication."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 13, 2012
For Narcolepsy "I have been taking this medication for 2 months and let me tell you how stupid I am. DO NOT EVER LEAVE YOUR MEDICATION IN THE HEAT OR HUMIDITY. I kept leaving my medication in my car because I didn't want my girlfriend's brother to steal it. When Xyrem is left out in the heat it becomes less effective. If my narcolepsy is not treated I become severely bi-polar to the lack of sleep. I almost had to go to the mental hospital before I read a note in my new package proclaiming Xyrems ineffectiveness due to heat. Low and behold, I took my new batch of Xyrem last night and felt decent this morning."
- Anonymous
- May 4, 2009
For Narcolepsy "I have found this medicine to be extremely helpful, although I do have some side effects from it. I have been on Xyrem for about 4 months now. I wake up feeling better than I have in years, but I have a trembling feeling (like being very cold) on the inside of my body that lasts for about 1 hour, and my hands shake very badly for about 3 hours. Both of these side effects occur upon getting up in the morning. I will say I can tolerate the shaking, because this medicine is truly amazing."
- narco...
- August 19, 2014
For Narcolepsy "I'm on 2.5mg twice a night. It puts me to sleep for two hours but it's the best two hours of sleep I get. Unfortunately, I don't sleep long while on it and I am wide awake after four hour for about two hours in the morning."
- Chris...
- December 2, 2019
For Narcolepsy "It was frightening I had a psychotic episode Never had an experience like that in my life Made me so depressed I cried and cried I asked another doctor if she’d ever prescribed it She said once and her patient had psychotic episode"
- Fibro...
- March 2, 2013
For Narcolepsy "I was given Xyrem two months ago to help with narcolepsy with cataplexy along with fibromyalgia. I had an expectation based on what I was told it would do that I would instantly be falling asleep. It didn't happen. Minimal effects. My neurologist started me on 2.25mg x 2 at night. When we discussed the situation on my next visit and I talked with the Xyrem nurse, this was common on this dosage. He increased it to 3.0 for the next six weeks. I am now seeing some results in sleep, cataplexy and narcolepsy. He did tell me that he increases to maximum dosage at much slower rates than any doctors to lessen the side effects. To date all I have had was a slight headache several days which might or might not be related. So far so good!"
- Trulak
- August 1, 2010
For Narcolepsy "Xyrem actually worked! For the first time in my life, I felt like a normal person. Then, the migraines to beat all migraines began. I was awake but in so much pain and the only thing that helped at all was packing ice all around my head. I hoped the headaches would go away but, after a couple of weeks, I gave up. I didn't want to be awake with that much pain."
- Xyrem...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- August 16, 2016
For Narcolepsy "My experience about xyrem is phenomenal. Going back, I can't imagine myself how I survived before this medication, comparing how I used to feel before taking the medication. I'm at least 70 percent feeling better. I read a couple suggestions on this website as far as not eating 2 to 3 hours before and not drink much water 5 hrs before, I will try them to see if I can get any improvement. So far my only issue is on the second dose, it wears off quick, it feels like I passed out for a couple hours and wake up to pee and that will be it but still can feel that heavy eyes just won't be able to fall asleep again."
- oilfe...
- July 29, 2011
For Narcolepsy "My husband has been on Xyrem for a 4 years now, it has helped him so much. But the problem is that family doctors don't understand Xyrem and pain medicines together. All medicines have a risk but don't leave people in pain because they are on Xyrem."
- Anonymous
- January 26, 2012
For Cataplexy "I've been taking Xyrem for about 6 yrs at 4.5gms 2 x a night. My doctor said I had the worst case of Cataplexy he'd seen in his career! Xyrem with 40mgs of Desoxyn and 150mgs of Effexor during the day I have a life again! I still have to nap about midday and I still won't chance a comedy club (the Cataplexy still sneaks in once in a while) but I hope to some day. I found out the hard way to make sure you don't drink anything before taking because you will NOT wake up to pee until the dose wears off! A small price to pay when I consider what it was like before Xyrem. "
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
More about Xyrem (sodium oxybate)
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- Drug class: miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics
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For Narcolepsy "This has been the only medication that has worked to combat both my narcolepsy and cataplexy symptoms. Before taking this I was just on high doses of stimulants and even though they helped energy wise I still had massive brain fog and when my stimulants wore off my cataplexy got even worse. This stuff is a miracle and have no idea what I would do without it."