Sodium oxybate and Vomiting: What Users Say

• Cin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 8, 2017

For Narcolepsy "My experience with Xyrem started about 12 years ago. The first few months were 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."

• ksl...
• 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 of hours later then take the dose (I always have to pee anyway)."

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2010

For Narcolepsy "The first couple of nights, I experienced horrible nightmares in which I could not awaken from until 2 1/2 hours later when my alarm finally sounded. The next week, my dosage was increased, causing me to experience 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."

• Ser...
• August 4, 2019

For Narcolepsy "My 11 y/o son has narcolepsy with cataplexy and has been on Xyrem for 5 months. It's been a game changer, but it isn't perfect. The pediatric neuro sleep specialist had him start on a dose of 2.25, which was WAY too high and made him completely incapacitated and violently ill. We joined a Xyrem support group and started over at 1.25. We titrated up slowly in .25 increments until we got to 3 ml twice a night--at that point, he was sleeping 4 hours per dose. Any more led to him vomiting. Jazz Pharma recommends everyone be on a 4.5x2 maintenance dose, which is insane. We have great results on 3 ml x 2--he sleeps, doesn't nap at all during the day, and needs no stimulants. He has increased anxiety, but Lexapro helps with that as well as preventing his C. X isn't easy to take--someone has to help him wake up to take it at 1 a.m. and prevent him from going to the kitchen to eat/X munchies--but it's the ONLY thing that has allowed him to get restful sleep."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2016

For Narcolepsy "For the last month, I have been sick. Very restless sleep, muscle spasm, vomiting for several hours with movement after meds have worn off. I had to stop using Xyrem this month because the same faulty batch I got in January they shipped me again this month. I tried to call and complain about the side effects. Unfortunately, the SDS Pharmacy isn't offering any solutions to fix or solve the issue that a lot more people are dealing with. So disgusted with this company."

• Mrs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2022

For Narcolepsy "I’ve been on a single nightly dose for a little longer than a week and was sooooo happy to feel “normal.” I take it at 11 pm - 12 am and wake up 6:30 am - 8:30 am without an alarm. Excessive drowsiness greatly reduced. Side effects were feeling hot and a burning, aching feeling in legs. I was willing to live with that in exchange for being able to clean my kitchen and vacuum in the same day. But 2 nights ago, within minutes of taking the dose, on an empty stomach, I started feeling very nauseous and belching. Last night, after about 20 minutes, I spontaneously vomited 3 times and then only slept 4.5 hours. Why would this start after a week? I’m devastated. Has anyone else experienced this? Does it stop?"