Sodium oxybate-induced sleep driving and sleep-related eating disorder

Abstract

Hypnosedative-induced complex behaviors have gained increased attention in recent years as a potential complication of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-receptor agonist use. Sodium oxybate (SO), the sodium salt of γ-hydroxybutyrate, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, has been associated with dose-dependent rates of somnambulism; however, there is limited information about complex motor behaviors with SO. We describe a patient with narcolepsy-cataplexy who experienced one episode of sleep-driving and at least two sleep-related eating episodes with therapeutic doses of SO.