Xywav is a low-sodium alternative to Xyrem, approved in 2020 after concerns about the high sodium content of Xyrem potentially contributing to heart disease.

• Xywav contains 92% less sodium than Xyrem and may be more suitable for people on a low salt diet or those who are at risk of high blood pressure. Xyrem carries warnings about its high sodium content.
• Xywav only contains 131mg sodium in a daily 9g dose compared with Xyrem which contains 1640mg of sodium per 9g dose. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day, preferably less than 1,500 mg per day.
• Xywav contains the same amount of oxybate as Xyrem, but as a mixture of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybate salts, instead of solely sodium oxybate salts, which make up Xyrem.
• Doctors can initiate Xywav at the same dosage as Xyrem.