Researchers have concluded that narcolepsy medication might help with much more than just sleep-related symptoms. In fact, it might help combat both the chicken and the egg.
A recent clinical trial has found that a once-nightly dose of sodium oxybate (ON-SXB) can help promote weight loss in people with narcolepsy. (1) Previous studies have shown that people with narcolepsy have a higher risk of obesity. The results of this trial show that ON-SXB can be effective for patients who are overweight or obese.
The clinical trial had 222 participants, 76.4 percent of whom were diagnosed with Narcolepsy Type 1. Over the course of the 13-week trial, participants were given various levels of ON-SXB, ranging from 4.5 g for 1 week to 9 g for 5 weeks. At the end, participants who had received ON-SXB had lost an average of 1.3 kg or almost 3 lbs when compared to the placebo group. In contrast, participants who received the placebo actually gained weight — an average of 0.2 kg.
This clinical trial helped prove the efficacy of ON-SXB for not only helping treat epilepsy but also maintaining a healthy weight for those who suffer from either type of narcolepsy. The overall health benefits include reduced nighttime sleep disruption, weight loss, and decreased cataplexy for those with NT1.
Researchers point to lower levels of Orexin, a hormone ingredient that helps our bodies make “good” fat. (2) In those with narcolepsy this is sometimes an issue, causing slower metabolic function and changes in cues for hunger and other key functions.
This isn’t the first time researchers have drawn connections between weight loss and narcolepsy medication. Implications of Oxybate dosing, a 2023 study, found that both a twice-nightly and once-nightly dose of oxybate improved sleep in those suffering from narcolepsy. (3) However it did not eliminate nighttime awakenings.
A similar 2024 study amongst children with narcolepsy type 1 found that there was a decrease in BMI for those taking SXB treatment. (4) This decrease plateaued after a year of treatment.
If you are just starting to explore what you need to know about narcolepsy more generally, you can consider the Comprehensive Guide to Narcolepsy, including the types, causes, and symptoms.
Most people are diagnosed as young or middle-aged adults, and it’s caused by a variety of potential issues such as brain trauma, stress or hormonal factors, among other reasons. In addition to medication, behavioral changes are sometimes helpful for narcolepsy treatment (and coincidentally can also impact obesity). If you suspect you might have narcolepsy, or have questions about using narcolepsy medication for weight loss purposes as well, reach out to your health care provider.
A Comprehensive Guide to Narcolepsy
It’s World Narcolepsy Day. Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Excessive Sleepiness: Everything You Need To Know
It’s World Narcolepsy Day. Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Sources
1. Thomas Roth, Anne Marie Morse, Richard Bogan, Asim Roy, Jennifer Gudeman, Yves Dauvilliers,
Weight Loss With Once-nightly Sodium Oxybate for the Treatment of Narcolepsy: Analysis From the Phase III Randomized study Evaluating the efficacy and SafeTy of a ONce nightly formulation of sodium oxybate (REST-ON) Trial,
Clinical Therapeutics, 2024, ISSN 0149-2918, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2024.07.010.
2. Editorial Team; “Is Narcolepsy Slowing My Metabolism?” Sleep Disorders; https://narcolepsy.sleep-disorders.net/living/metabolism; April 20, 2021.
3. Rosenberg, R., Braceras, R., Macfadden, W. et al. Implications of Oxybate Dosing Regimen for Sleep, Sleep Architecture, and Disrupted Nighttime Sleep in Patients with Narcolepsy: A Commentary. Neurol Ther 12, 1805–1820 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40120-023-00543-z
4. Dauvilliers Y, Lammers GJ, Lecendreux M, et al. Effect of sodium oxybate on body mass index in pediatric patients with narcolepsy. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(3):445–454.