Xyrem: A common Date-Rape Drug?

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a new treatment for narcolepsy. The administration was not sure whether GHB, gamma hydroxyl butyrate, should be permitted as a prescription drug used to treat narcolepsy as it is commonly used as a “date rape” drug. GHB, or commonly called Xyrem, was initially developed as a anesthetic because it depressed the central nervous system. It was later inhibited because it caused many unnecessary side effects and was abused as a recreational drug.

Although it may be dangerous if used for the wrong purpose such as sexual assault, the manufacturer has proved that it can treat cataplexy, a common symptom of narcolepsy in which muscle weakness takes place. A government advisory panel voted for the permission to sell the medication if and only if the FDA approves it and establishes a risk management plan in order to prevent illegal and dangerous abuse of the drug. Ultimately, Xyrem was not approved as a general drug for narcolepsy when Provigil, another common narcolepsy medicated drug, was recently accepted for the condition. Although Provigil has priority for narcoleptic patients, Xyrem will be used primarily to treat narcoleptics who suffer from dangerous incidences of cataplexy.

Although Xyrem can help narcoleptic patients, the government must be aware of its danger and supplemental usage. GHB has now been placed in the most strictly regulated drug category. A law has been enforced that ensures a person a maximum of twenty years in prison if it illegally made or sold. Despite its dangers, narcoleptics who experience cataplexy may feel safe to know they can be treated. How ironic?

I may be going onto a tangent, but I found an interesting video about GHB's harmful effects and prevalence as a "date rape" drug. Check it out!