Xyrem (containing sodium oxybate at a strength of 500mg/mL) is a highly potent, strictly controlled central nervous system depressant used to treat severe daytime sleepiness and sudden muscle weakness (cataplexy) in patients with narcolepsy Because sodium oxybate is chemically identical to Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)—a notorious illicit substance—it is subject to some of the strictest legal and distribution protocols in global medicine. It cannot be purchased over the counter anywhere, and its price is among the highest of any orphan drug on the pharmaceutical market The cost of brand-name Xyrem is exceptionally high, though multiple generic sodium oxybate alternatives became available to help reduce retail prices