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Questions to Ask Your Physician
Just as your doctor asks you questions, you'll probably have some questions for your doctor. Here are a few suggestions; feel free to jot down any other questions you have and expect to get answers during your visit. Some people also find it useful to have another person come with them when they receive test results to help remember important information about the diagnosis.
You can print this list of questions below. There will be additional space on the printed version to add your own notes for each question as well as list additional questions you might want to ask your doctor.
- How will you determine whether I have narcolepsy?
- Is it possible I have some other condition instead?
- When and how will I get test results? When can I talk with you about them?
- If I have narcolepsy, will medication help?
- What other ways can I manage my symptoms?
- If I'm only experiencing certain symptoms, will I develop other symptoms later?
- How can I manage work or school with this condition?
- What about driving? How can I know if it's safe?
- Are there any activities I should avoid?
- How can I keep myself and others safe if I have an episode of cataplexy or daytime sleep attack?
- Should I avoid drinking alcohol? Smoking? Caffeine?
- Are there any diet or exercise programs or schedule that will help control my symptoms?
- If I have narcolepsy, will my symptoms get worse over time?
- Are there any local support groups or organizations for people with narcolepsy that I can join?
Important Safety Information
1. XYREM® is a controlled substance. Controlled substances are medicines that, if abused, may lead to varying degrees of physical or psychological dependence. XYREM is a Schedule III drug — which means that it has a moderate dependence liability. If you sell, distribute, or give your XYREM to anyone else or use it for purposes other than what it was prescribed for, you may be punished under federal and state law by jail and fines.
2. It is very important to keep XYREM out of reach of children and pets.
3. XYREM can cause serious side effects including trouble breathing while asleep, confusion, abnormal thinking, depression and loss of consciousness. Tell your doctor if you have any of these problems while taking XYREM.
BOXED WARNING:
!Warning
Central Nervous System Depressant with Abuse Potential. Should not be used with alcohol or other CNS depressants. Sodium oxybate is a form of GHB, a known drug of abuse. Abuse has been associated with some important central nervous system (CNS) adverse events (including death). Even at recommended doses, use has been associated with confusion, depression, and other neuropsychiatric events. Reports of respiratory depression occurred in clinical trials. Almost all of the patients who received sodium oxybate during clinical trials were receiving CNS stimulants.
Important CNS adverse events associated with abuse of GHB include seizure, respiratory depression and profound decreases in level of consciousness, with instances of coma and death. For events that occurred outside of clinical trials, in people taking GHB for recreational purposes, the circumstances surrounding the events are often unclear (e.g., dose of GHB taken, the nature and amount of alcohol or any concomitant drugs).
XYREM is available through the XYREM Success Program®, using a centralized pharmacy 1-866-XYREM88® (1-866-997-3688). The Success Program provides educational materials to the prescriber and the patient explaining the risks and proper use of sodium oxybate, and the required prescription form. Once it is documented that the patient has read and/or understood the materials, the drug will be shipped to the patient. The XYREM Success Program also recommends patient follow-up every 3 months. Physicians are expected to report all serious adverse events to the manufacturer.
