Xywav Side Effects

Generic name: calcium oxybate / magnesium oxybate / potassium oxybate / sodium oxybate

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jul 15, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about calcium oxybate / magnesium oxybate / potassium oxybate / sodium oxybate. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Xywav.

Applies to calcium oxybate / magnesium oxybate / potassium oxybate / sodium oxybate: oral solution.

Serious side effects of Xywav

Along with its needed effects, calcium oxybate / magnesium oxybate / potassium oxybate / sodium oxybate may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking calcium oxybate / magnesium oxybate / potassium oxybate / sodium oxybate:

More common

• Bedwetting
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• sleepwalking

Less common

• Anxiety
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• confusion about identity, place, and time
• discouragement
• feeling sad or empty
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• pain in the arm or leg
• seeing, feeling, or hearing things that are not there
• sleep paralysis
• thoughts of killing oneself
• tremor
• trouble breathing
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

• Being forgetful
• blurred vision
• chest tightness
• decrease in the amount of urine
• dizziness
• falls
• fever
• headache
• hives, itching, skin rash
• hoarseness
• increased urge to urinate during the night
• irritation
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• nervousness
• noisy, rattling breathing
• pounding in the ears
• redness of the skin
• swelling of the face, fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs
• trouble swallowing
• waking to urinate at night
• weight gain

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking calcium oxybate / magnesium oxybate / potassium oxybate / sodium oxybate:

Symptoms of overdose

• Agitation
• chest pain or discomfort
• clumsiness
• drowsiness
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• loss of consciousness
• loss of strength or energy
• low body temperature
• muscle pain or weakness
• seizures
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• shivering
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual weak feeling
• weak or feeble pulse

Other side effects of Xywav

Some side effects of calcium oxybate / magnesium oxybate / potassium oxybate / sodium oxybate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Decreased weight
• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• increased sweating
• nausea
• vomiting

Less common

• Clenching, gnashing, or grinding teeth
• feeling drunk
• snoring

Incidence not known

• Difficulty in moving

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to calcium oxybate / magnesium oxybate / potassium oxybate / sodium oxybate: oral liquid.

General

The most commonly reported side effects included headache, nausea, dizziness, and decreased appetite.^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 20%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, paresthesia, somnolence, tremor

Frequency not reported: Attention disturbance, cataplexy, central nervous system depression, sleep paralysis

Postmarketing reports: Memory impairment^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 17%), vomiting (up to 16%)

Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, dry mouth^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Enuresis (up to 18%)

Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, depressed mood, depression, irritability, parasomnia

Frequency not reported: Abnormal dreams, abnormal sleep-related event, abuse, affect lability, agitation, disorientation, other behavioral adverse reactions, other psychiatric adverse reactions, panic attack, rapid eye movements sleep abnormal, sleep-disordered breathing, sleep-related eating disorder, sleep talking, sleep terror, somnambulism, suicidal ideation, suicidality, tactile hallucination, tension^[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (up to 12%)

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite

Postmarketing reports: Fluid retention^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue

Frequency not reported: Asthenia, feeling drunk, misuse, pain

Postmarketing reports: Fall, hangover^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Muscle spasms

Frequency not reported: Extremity pain

Postmarketing reports: Arthralgia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Hyperhidrosis

Frequency not reported: Night sweats^[Ref]

Respiratory

Frequency not reported: Respiratory depression, sleep apnea syndrome^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Postmarketing reports: Hypertension^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Ocular

Postmarketing reports: Blurred vision^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Postmarketing reports: Nocturia^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• What's the difference between Xywav and Xyrem?
• How effective is Xywav for Idiopathic Hypersomnia?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer