xywav

Important safety information

CNS depression: Use caution when considering the concurrent use of XYWAV with other CNS depressants ( 5.1 ). • Caution patients against hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness or motor coordination within the first 6 hours of dosing or after first initiating treatment until certain that XYWAV does not affect them adversely ( 5.1 ). • Depression and suicidality: Monitor patients for emergent or increased depression and suicidality ( 5.5 ). • Confusion/Anxiety: Monitor for impaired motor/cognitive function ( 5.6 ). • Parasomnias: Evaluate episodes of sleepwalking ( 5.7 ). 5.1 Central Nervous System Depression XYWAV is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Clinically significant respiratory depression and obtundation has occurred in adult patients taking sodium oxybate (same active moiety as XYWAV) at recommended doses in clinical trials and may occur in patients treated with XYWAV at recommended doses. XYWAV is contraindicated in combination with alcohol and sedative hypnotics. The concurrent use of XYWAV with other CNS depressants, including but not limited to opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, sedating antidepressants or antipsychotics, sedating anti-epileptic drugs, general anesthetics, muscle relaxants, and/or illicit CNS depressants, may increase the risk of respiratory depression, hypotension, profound sedation, syncope, and death. If use of these CNS depressants in combination with XYWAV is required, dose reduction or discontinuation of one or more CNS depressants (including XYWAV) should be considered. In addition, if short-term use of an opioid (e.g., post- or perioperative) is required, interruption of treatment with XYWAV should be considered. Healthcare providers should caution patients about operating hazardous machinery, including automobiles or airplanes, until they are reasonably certain that XYWAV does not affect them adversely (e.g., impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills). Patients should not engage in hazardous occupations or activities requiring complete mental alertness or motor coordination, such as operating machinery or a motor vehicle or flying an airplane, for at least 6 hours after taking XYWAV. Patients should be queried about CNS depression‐related events upon initiation of XYWAV therapy and periodically thereafter. XYWAV is available only through a restricted program under a REMS [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . 5.2 Abuse and Misuse XYWAV is a Schedule III controlled substance. The active moiety of XYWAV is oxybate, also known as gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a Schedule I controlled substance. Abuse of illicit GHB, either alone or in combination with other CNS depressants, is associated with CNS adverse reactions, including seizure, respiratory depression, decreases in the level of consciousness, coma, and death. The rapid onset of sedation, coupled with the amnestic features of GHB, particularly when combined with alcohol, has proven to be dangerous for the voluntary and involuntary user (e.g., assault victim). Because illicit use and abuse of GHB have been reported, healthcare providers should carefully evaluate patients for a history of drug abuse and follow them closely, particularly for signs of misuse or abuse of GHB (including but not limited to increase in size or frequency of dosing, drug-seeking behavior, feigned cataplexy) [see Drug Abuse and Dependence ( 9.2 )] . If abuse is suspected, treatment with XYWAV should be discontinued . XYWAV is available only through a restricted program under a REMS [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . 5.3 XYWAV and XYREM REMS XYWAV is available only through a restricted distribution program called the XYWAV and XYREM REMS because of the risks of central nervous system depression, and abuse and misuse [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.2 )]. Notable requirements of the XYWAV and XYREM REMS include the following: • Healthcare Providers who prescribe XYWAV are specially certified • XYWAV will be dispensed only by the central pharmacy that is specially certified • XYWAV will be dispensed and shipped only to patients who are enrolled in the XYWAV and XYREM REMS with documentation of safe use. Further information is available at www.XYWAVXYREMREMS.com or 1-866-997-3688. 5.4 Respiratory Depression and Sleep-Disordered Breathing XYWAV may impair respiratory drive, especially in patients with compromised respiratory function. In overdoses of oxybate and with illicit use of GHB, life-threatening respiratory depression has been reported [see Overdosage ( 10 )]. Increased apnea and reduced oxygenation may occur with XYWAV administration in adult and pediatric patients. A significant increase in the number of central apneas and clinically significant oxygen desaturation may occur in patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with XYWAV. In a study assessing the respiratory-depressant effects of Xyrem (same active moiety as XYWAV) at doses up to 9 g per night in 21 adult patients with narcolepsy, no dose-related changes in oxygen saturation were demonstrated in the group as a whole. One of the four patients with preexisting moderate-to-severe sleep apnea had significant worsening of the apnea/hypopnea index during treatment. In a study assessing the effects of Xyrem 9 g per night in 50 adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea, Xyrem did not increase the severity of sleep‑disordered breathing and did not adversely affect the average duration and severity of oxygen desaturation overall. However, there was a significant increase in the number of central apneas in patients taking Xyrem, and clinically significant oxygen desaturation (≤55%) was measured in three patients (6%) after Xyrem administration, with one patient withdrawing from the study and two continuing after single brief instances of desaturation. During polysomnographic evaluation (PSG), central sleep apnea and oxygen desaturation were observed in pediatric patients with narcolepsy treated with Xyrem. Prescribers should be aware that increased central apneas and clinically relevant oxygen desaturation events have been observed with sodium oxybate administration in adult and pediatric patients. In clinical trials of Xyrem in 128 adult patients with narcolepsy, two patients had profound CNS depression, which resolved after supportive respiratory intervention. Two other patients discontinued sodium oxybate because of severe difficulty breathing and an increase in obstructive sleep apnea. In two controlled trials assessing PSG measures in adult patients with narcolepsy, 40 of 477 patients were included with a baseline apnea/hypopnea index of 16 to 67 events per hour, indicative of mild to severe sleep-disordered breathing. None of the 40 patients had a clinically significant worsening of respiratory function, as measured by apnea/hypopnea index and pulse oximetry at doses of 4.5 g to 9 g per night. Prescribers should be aware that sleep-related breathing disorders tend to be more prevalent in obese patients, in men, in postmenopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy, and among patients with narcolepsy. 5.5 Depression and Suicidality Depression, and suicidal ideation and behavior can occur in patients treated with XYWAV. In Study 1 [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] , depression and depressed mood were reported in 3% and 4%, respectively, of patients treated with XYWAV. Two patients (1%) discontinued XYWAV because of depression, but in most cases, no change in XYWAV treatment was required. In Study 2 [see Clinical Studies ( 14.3 )] , depression and depressed mood were reported in 1 patient (1%) and in 5 patients (3%), respectively, of patients treated with XYWAV, all of whom continued XYWAV treatment. In clinical trials of Xyrem (same active moiety as XYWAV) in adult patients with narcolepsy (n=781), there were two suicides and two attempted suicides in patients treated with Xyrem, including three patients with a previous history of depressive psychiatric disorder. Of the two…