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Updated: May 9, 2026
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Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Sodium oxybate-induced central sleep apneas
Lukas Frase1, Jonas Schupp, Stephan Sorichter
1Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany. lukas.frase@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Sleep Medicine
|July 10, 2013
Summary
Sodium oxybate (GHB) can cause new central sleep apneas, even in patients without prior breathing issues. Discontinuing GHB resolved these breathing disturbances, highlighting a need for updated safety guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Sodium oxybate (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, GHB) is a central nervous system depressant used for narcolepsy.
- Existing safety guidelines for GHB primarily address patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
Observation:
- A case study involving a 39-year-old female with narcolepsy and cataplexy is presented.
- The patient developed de novo central sleep apneas exhibiting a Cheyne-Stokes pattern during continuous sodium oxybate therapy.
Findings:
- Polysomnography confirmed the emergence of central sleep apneas coinciding with GHB treatment.
- Discontinuation of sodium oxybate led to the resolution of these newly developed central sleep apneas.
Implications:
- This case suggests that GHB may induce central sleep apneas in individuals without prior sleep-disordered breathing.
- Further research is warranted to evaluate the risk of GHB-induced central sleep apneas in a broader patient population.
- Safety recommendations for sodium oxybate may need to be extended to include patients without pre-existing breathing disorders.
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