Sodium oxybate (Xyrem)
The medication which is highly effective for treating cataplexy is sodium oxybate. This medication helps in the improvement of nighttime sleep which is usually poor in narcolepsy. Id=f the patient uses higher doses of sodium oxybate then it might also help in controlling the daytime sleepiness. The patient must take two doses of sodium oxybate one at bedtime and other one up to four hours after waking up. Sodium oxybate or xyrem might have certain side effects such as worsening of sleepwalking, bed-wetting and nausea. By taking sodium oxybate in combination with other sleeping medications or narcotic pain relievers or even alcohol can also lead to breathing problems, death and coma.