By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo

TheMediTary.Com

Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com

  • Home
  • News
  • Drugs
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Medical Answers
  • About Us
  • Contact
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo
Search Drugs
  • Drugs
    • Latest Drugs
    • Drugs A-Z
    • Medical Answers
  • News
    • FDA Alerts
    • Medical News
    • Health
    • Consumer Updates
    • Children's Health
  • More TheMediTary.Com
    • About Us
    • Contact
Follow US
Home > Medical Answers > Can you take Xyrem while pregnant?

Can you take Xyrem while pregnant?

Answers by TheMediTary.Com - Last updated: 14-Jul-2023
  • The use of Xyrem during pregnancy is not recommended.
  • Although animal studies did not show an increased risk of birth defects, there was an increased number of stillbirths and post-birth deaths in baby rats.
  • Few pregnant women have been given Xyrem (sodium oxybate). This means data on its effects during pregnancy are limited.
  • Sodium oxybate given to women during labor for anesthesia caused a decreased frequency of uterine contractions in the mother and sleepiness in newborns.
  • Exposure to sodium oxybate during the first trimester may be associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortions. Exposure in subsequent trimesters does not appear to do lasting harm to the fetus; however, numbers of pregnant women exposed are extremely small, and it may harm.
  • Xyrem readily crosses the placenta and should not be given to pregnant women unless the perceived benefits far outweigh the risks.
  • The FDA has not assigned a pregnancy category to Xyrem.

Xyrem (sodium oxybate) is a CNS depressant that may be used to treat narcolepsy.

There is not enough data to properly assess the impact of giving Xyrem to pregnant women. However, the following is known:

  • Sodium oxybate given to pregnant rats during organogenesis did not appear to cause developmental toxicity or birth defects in baby rats. Organogenesis in humans occurs anywhere between the third to eighth week of gestation and is the stage during which three germ layers of the embryo form into the major organs of the body system.
  • Sodium oxybate that was administered to rats throughout pregnancy and lactation resulted in an increased number of stillbirths, an increase in the number of deaths in the baby rats once born, and decreased growth rates in those baby rats that survived.
  • The effects of Xyrem have not been formally studied in labor or delivery. However, in women given sodium oxybate during childbirth, newborns were very sleepy, causing a slight decrease in Apgar scores, although cardiovascular and respiratory measures were stable. The frequency of uterine contractions also fell 20 minutes after the injection.
  • Research has also shown that sodium oxybate quickly crosses from the mother’s bloodstream into the placenta, and can be detected in a newborn's bloodstream. The effects of this on an infant's subsequent growth, development, and maturation are unknown.
  • A small number of pregnant women have been exposed to sodium oxybate during the first trimester. There appeared to be a possible increased risk in the number of spontaneous abortions. Babies of women exposed in the second or third trimester did not appear to suffer any birth defects or toxicity; however, very few women have been studied.
  • Because Xyrem is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and slows down brain activity, it would not be appropriate to expose pregnant women to the drug, unless the perceived benefits were believed to outweigh the risks.
  • The US FDA has not assigned a pregnancy category to Xyrem.
Share this Article

Featured questions

  • Will Xyrem show up on a drug test?
  • Can any doctor prescribe Xyrem?
  • How does Xyrem work for narcolepsy?
  • Is Xyrem a controlled substance / narcotic drug of abuse?
  • How much sodium is in Xyrem?
  • Does Xyrem cause weight gain or loss?
  • What's the difference between Xywav and Xyrem?
  • Can these drugs be used in Thalassemia patients?
  • How does Lupron (leuprolide) work for prostate cancer?
  • What is the consideration to use nifidepine over amlodipine?
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy/mechanical heart valve?
  • I have been on 400mg of tramadol a day for 20 years, decided its time to come off them
Related Drugs
Fidanacogene Elaparvovec
Cerave Anti-Itch (Hydrocortisone topical)
Centrum Adult (Multivitamins and minerals)
Crovalimab
Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe (Adalimumab)
Zepbound Pen (Tirzepatide)
Mylanta One (Calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone)
Uretron Ds (Hyoscyamine, methenamine, methylene blue, phenyl salicylate, sodium biphosphate)
Medihoney Wound And Burn Dressing (Topical emollients)
Lidotrode
Libervant (Diazepam (buccal))
Moderna Covid-19 (Covid-19 (6m-11y) vaccine, moderna (2024-2025))
Beqvez (Fidanacogene elaparvovec)
Beqvez (Fidanacogene elaparvovec)
Beqvez (Fidanacogene elaparvovec)

Categories

  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health

About US

Welcome to TheMediTary.Com

Our website provides reliable and up-to-date information on various medical topics. We empower individuals to take charge of their health by simplifying complex medical jargon and providing practical tips and advice. We prioritize the privacy and confidentiality of our users and welcome feedback to improve our services.

Website use data of FDA and other sources

DMCA.com Protection Status Truste Protection Status Trust Mark Protection Status
HONcode logo We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.
Quick Link
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Sitemap
  • Care Notes
  • Health Guide
  • Professional
Drugs
  • New Drugs
  • Medical Answers
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Drug Classes
  • Drug Dosage
  • Pill Identifier
  • Consumer Infor
  • Side Effects
  • Inactive Ingredients
  • Pregnancy Warnings
  • Patient Tips
  • Treatments
News
  • Latest News
  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health
Find US
  • Medium
  • Google Site
  • Blogspot
  • API
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Scoop.it
  • Substack
  • Wordpress
  • Wix
  • Behance

© 2025 TheMediTary.Com All rights reserved. Operated by