Is Sodium Oxybate compatible with breastfeeding? Do we have alternatives for Sodium Oxybate?

Sodium Oxybate

July 16, 2017 (Low Risk)

Sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHBA), a natural body substance normally found in milk at levels of 0.1 - 1 mg / L.
It is used for the treatment of narcolepsy.

Given its rapid half-life, after 4 to 5 hours the GHBA levels in milk are back in the normal range.
Since it is administered in two evening doses at the beginning of the night (22:00 h and 02:00 h) breastfeeding is allowed even exclusively, taking care to wait 4 hours after the last dose. It would be advisable to pump breast milk during the day for using it at night time.
The intestinal drug absorption and plasma levels decrease significantly (up 58%) with simultaneous administration of a meal, especially if it has a high fat content.

They have not been observed problems in infants whose mothers were on this treatment. At least, one infant was exclusively breastfed for 6 months while her mother was taking sodium oxybate, fluoxetine and cetirizine with a pausing of 4 hours after each of the two doses of oxybate.

Oxybate does not alter prolactin levels.


See below the information of these related products:

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Sodium Oxybate.

Very Low Risk

Compatible. Not risky for breastfeeding or infant.

Low Risk

Moderately safe. Mild risk possible. Follow up recommended. Read the Comment.

High Risk

Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully. Use a safer alternative. Read the Comment.

Very High Risk

Not recommended. Cessation of breastfeeding or alternative.

Synonyms

  • Sodium Gamma-hydroxybutyrate

Writings

  • Натрия Оксибат (Cyrillic)
  • Натрия Оксибутират (Cyrillic)
  • オキシバートナトリウム (Japanese)
  • C4H7NaO3 (Molecular formula)

Drug trade names

References

  1. Busardò FP, Bertol E, Mannocchi G, Tittarelli R, Pantano F, Vaiano F, Baglio G, Kyriakou C, Marinelli E. Determination of GHB levels in breast milk and correlation with blood concentrations. Forensic Sci Int. 2016Abstract
  2. Gashlin LZ, Sullo D, Lawrence RA, Rosen-Carole C. Treatment of Narcolepsy with Sodium Oxybate While Breastfeeding: A Case Report. Breastfeed Med. 2016Abstract
  3. EMA. Oxibato sódico. Ficha técnica. 2015 Full text (in our servers)
  4. EMA. Sodium Oxybate. Drug Summary. 2015 Full text (in our servers)
  5. Wise MS, Arand DL, Auger RR, Brooks SN, Watson NF; American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Treatment of narcolepsy and other hypersomnias of central origin. Sleep. 2007Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. Borgen LA, Okerholm R, Morrison D, Lai A. The influence of gender and food on the pharmacokinetics of sodium oxybate oral solution in healthy subjects. J Clin Pharmacol. 2003Abstract
  7. Levy MI, Davis BM, Mohs RC, Trigos GC, Mathé AA, Davis KL. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate in the treatment of schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res. 1983Abstract