Once-nightly sodium oxybate (FT218) in the treatment of narcolepsy: a letter to the editor commenting on the recent publication by C. Kushida et al

[摘要] We read with interest the publication titled “Once-Nightly SodiumOxybate (FT218) Demonstrated Improvement of Symptoms in aPhase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial in Patients With Narcolepsy,”by C. Kushida et al., which was published recently in Sleep [1]. Theauthors present the results of the REST-ON trial of the investigational compound FT218, a once-nightly formulation of sodiumoxybate (SXB), for the treatment of narcolepsy. We commendthe investigators and sponsors of this study for their efforts toimprove the lives of patients with narcolepsy and recognizethe sensibility of working with the transformative compoundoxybate. SXB (Xyrem) and lower-sodium oxybate (LXB; calcium,magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybates; Xywav) are approved in the United States (US) for the treatment of excessivedaytime sleepiness or cataplexy in patients 7 years of age andolder with narcolepsy; LXB is also approved for the treatment ofidiopathic hypersomnia in adults [2, 3]. We wish to comment onthe authors’ interpretation of the REST-ON trial data and conclusions regarding the comparative efficacy and safety of FT218with other oxybate formulations, as clarity on these matters is ofgreat importance for patients and healthcare professionals.

[学科分类] 生理学