Drug & supplement interaction

Glycolic Acid + Sodium Oxybate

Sodium Oxybate brand name: Xyrem.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 20, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Glycolic Acid and Sodium Oxybate in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the label for Sodium Oxybate states a food rule worth keeping to.

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Interaction report

Glycolic Acid and Sodium Oxybate

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Sodium Oxybate and Glycolic Acid in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

Worth understanding: our licensed dataset holds no drug-interaction record for Glycolic Acid at all — not against Sodium Oxybate, and not against any other medication we track. This verdict therefore rests on the absence of any recorded data, not on research that looked at this combination and found nothing. We cannot rule an interaction out.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Glycolic Acid safety at a glance

Glycolic Acid overall Use caution Generally safe when applied topically as directed, but can irritate skin and increase sun sensitivity.
Pregnancy Likely Safe When used topically in appropriate concentrations . There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of glycolic acid when used orally duri... Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Likely Safe When used topically in appropriate concentrations . There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of glycolic acid when used orally duri... Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Sodium Oxybate and Glycolic Acid? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
What to actually watch for

What Glycolic Acid Itself Has Been Linked To

This is not an interaction — nothing below involves Sodium Oxybate. It is the side-effect record for Glycolic Acid on its own, from the licensed Natural Medicines monograph. If something new turns up after you add Glycolic Acid, this list is the first place to look. 2 entries are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Hives Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Topically, glycolic acid is generally well tolerated when used in concentrations at or below 10%. In general, products should be tested on a small area of skin before applying it to a larger area.

    Alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid can increase sensitivity to the sun and ultraviolet (UV) light. This can increase damage to the skin, and after long-term use, might increase the risk of skin cancer.”

    Glycolic Acid · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in acne.

    6 sources cited
    1. 952. Stiller MJ, Bartolone J, Stern R, et al. Topical 8% glycolic acid and 8% L-lactic acid creams for the treatment of photodamaged skin. A double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical trial. Arch Dermatol 1996;132:631-6.
    2. 10101. Erbagci Z, Akcali C. Biweekly serial glycolic acid peels vs. long-term daily use of topical low-strength glycolic acid in the treatment of atrophic acne scars. Int J Dermatol 2000;39:789-94.. PubMed
    3. 10102. Javaheri SM, Handa S, Kaur I, Kumar B. Safety and efficacy of glycolic acid facial peel in Indian women and melasma. Int J Dermatol 2001;40:354-7.
    4. 106612. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cosmetic Ingredients: Alpha Hydroxy Acids. August 2020. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/alpha-hydroxy-acids. Accessed on October 19, 2021.
    5. 6080. Kurtzweil P. Alpha-hydroxy acids for skin care: Smooth sailing or rough seas? FDA 1999. Available at: /www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1998/298_ahas.html (Accessed 18 August 2000). DOI
    6. 92209. Baumann LS, Oresajo C, Yatskayer M, Dahl A, Figueras K. Comparison of clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel to a novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid in the treatment
  • Bleeding or bruising Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Topically, glycolic acid is generally well tolerated.

    Most Common Adverse Effects:

    Topically: Mild irritation, sun sensitivity, and a tingling sensation.

    Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):

    Topically: Increased risk of skin cancer, skin damage, and transient hyperpigmentation.”

    Glycolic Acid · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in burns.

  • Acne / A skin rash Additional detail

    Recorded for Glycolic Acid in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Hives above.

  • Sun sensitivity Additional detail

    Recorded for Glycolic Acid in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Bleeding or bruising above.

  • Numbness or tingling / Itching / Swelling Additional detail

    Recorded for Glycolic Acid in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Bleeding or bruising above.

Everything above comes from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record for Glycolic Acid — expand a row for the licensed statement it rests on. We read the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of Sodium Oxybate’s FDA label too, and the two lists don’t meaningfully overlap — which is why no Sodium Oxybate column appears here.

Special populations

Glycolic Acid in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Likely Safe

When used topically in appropriate concentrations . There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of glycolic acid when used orally during pregnancy and lactation; avoid using.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

How to take them

Some Sodium Oxybate Products Have a Food Rule — Glycolic Acid Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Sodium Oxybate says to take it with food. If you take Glycolic Acid on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate — and take Sodium Oxybate with a meal where the label says to.

This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Sodium Oxybate products can carry different directions, and extended-release forms often differ from immediate-release ones. The label we read is quoted below — check the directions on your own box or bottle, or ask your pharmacist, for how to take the exact product you were given.

• Allow 2 hours after eating before dosing ( 2.3 ).

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Sodium Oxybate — where that label names a specific product, the instruction is that product's. See the Sodium Oxybate drug page ›

A food rule is not an interaction — it is about how much of the medicine you absorb. The directions that came with your own product, and your pharmacist, outrank anything on this page.

From our Q&A

Questions About Glycolic Acid or Sodium Oxybate

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Glycolic Acid or Sodium Oxybate, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Sodium Oxybate

This page covers Glycolic Acid only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Sodium Oxybate page lists 25 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Biofeedback (moderate), Coffee Charcoal (moderate), Dendrobium (moderate) and European Mandrake (moderate).

By severity: 1 major · 15 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Sodium Oxybate page

“Activated charcoal is the single major-rated interaction with sodium oxybate (Xyrem), and it earns that rating because the drug only works if each dose is fully absorbed; charcoal can bind it in the gut and weaken the nighttime control it provides for narcolepsy. Treat this list with genuine care, since 17 of the 25 ingredients on file…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Sodium Oxybate interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Glycolic Acid and Sodium Oxybate Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Glycolic Acid
Steady interest

#1,309 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Sodium Oxybate
Top 10%

#273 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Glycolic Acid reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Glycolic Acid and Sodium Oxybate records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Glycolic Acid

What is Glycolic Acid?

  • Acne
  • Anti-aging and fine lines
  • Uneven skin tone and dark spots
  • Skin exfoliation
  • Rough or dry skin texture

Glycolic acid is a topical alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) used mainly to exfoliate the skin, smooth texture, and improve appearance. It is not a dietary supplement you swallow—it is applied to the skin and is generally well tolerated, though it can cause irritation and sun sensitivity. Always follow product directions and use sunscreen, and talk to a pharmacist or dermatologist if you have sensitive skin.

Not applicable (a chemically produced or naturally sourced acid) · Topical creams, gels, serums, cleansers, chemical peels, and lotions

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Glycolic Acid is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Glycolic Acid record says about it on its own.

Glycolic Acid: dosing

There is no standard oral dose because glycolic acid is used on the skin, not taken by mouth. Over-the-counter products usually contain lower concentrations, while professional peels use much higher strengths under medical supervision.The best approach is to follow the directions on the product label and start slowly—for example, every other day—to see how your skin reacts before using it more often.

From our Glycolic Acid monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Glycolic Acid monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Sodium Oxybate

What Is Sodium Oxybate Used For?

Brand name: Xyrem

Sodium oxybate treats two major symptoms of narcolepsy: cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness triggered by emotion) and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). It is available in several products, each approved for these uses.

Xyrem (oral solution) and the generic sodium oxybate oral solution are approved for cataplexy or EDS in patients with narcolepsy. Lumryz (extended-release oral suspension) is specifically approved for cataplexy or EDS in patients 7 years of age and older with narcolepsy. The generic sodium oxybate oral solution label does not include the pediatric indication due to marketing exclusivity held by Xyrem.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Sodium Oxybate

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (65,536 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Nausea 4,928 reports
Anxiety 3,979 reports
Somnolence 3,965 reports
Insomnia 3,371 reports
Feeling abnormal 3,223 reports
See full Sodium Oxybate drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Glycolic Acid

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Glycolic Acid — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
0Moderate
0Minor
2,829No known interaction
2,829 No interaction
No interaction 2,829 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Glycolic Acid against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,829 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Glycolic Acid list.

See the full Glycolic Acid interactions page
See every supplement checked against Sodium Oxybate, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Glycolic Acid References

The 16 references that drive our Glycolic Acid monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Stiller MJ, Bartolone J, Stern R, et al. Topical 8% glycolic acid and 8% L-lactic acid creams for the treatment of photodamaged skin. A double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical trial. Arch Dermatol 1996;132:631-6.
  2. Kurtzweil P. Alpha-hydroxy acids for skin care: Smooth sailing or rough seas? FDA 1999. Available at: /www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1998/298_ahas.html (Accessed 18 August 2000). DOI
  3. Erbagci Z, Akcali C. Biweekly serial glycolic acid peels vs. long-term daily use of topical low-strength glycolic acid in the treatment of atrophic acne scars. Int J Dermatol 2000;39:789-94.. PubMed
  4. Javaheri SM, Handa S, Kaur I, Kumar B. Safety and efficacy of glycolic acid facial peel in Indian women and melasma. Int J Dermatol 2001;40:354-7.
  5. Baumann LS, Oresajo C, Yatskayer M, Dahl A, Figueras K. Comparison of clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel to a novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid in the treatment
  6. Kaminaka C, Uede M, Matsunaka H, Furukawa F, Yamomoto Y. Clinical evaluation of glycolic acid chemical peeling in patients with acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face comparative study. Dermatol Surg. 2014 Mar;40(3):314- PubMed
  7. Vachiramon V, Sahawatwong S, Sirithanabadeekul P. Treatment of melasma in men with low-fluence Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser versus combined laser and glycolic acid peeling. Dermatol Surg. 2015 Apr;41(4):457-65. PubMed
  8. Abels C, Kaszuba A, Michalak I, Werdier D, Knie U, Kaszuba A. A 10% glycolic acid containing oil-in-water emulsion improves mild acne: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2011 Sep;10(3):202-9. PubMed
  9. Saadawi AN, Esawy AM, Kandeel AH, El-Sayed W. Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019;18(1):107-114. PubMed
  10. Rouvrais C, Baspeyras M, Mengeaud V, Rossi AB. Antiaging efficacy of a retinaldehyde-based cream compared with glycolic acid peel sessions: A randomized controlled study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(6):1136-1143. PubMed
  11. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cosmetic Ingredients: Alpha Hydroxy Acids. August 2020. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/alpha-hydroxy-acids. Accessed on October 19, 2021.
  12. Bs C, Vadlamudi SL, Shenoy C. Safety of Performing Superficial Chemical Peels in Patients on Oral Isotretinoin for Acne and Acne-Induced Pigmentation. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2021;14(11):41-43.
  13. Banga G, Patel K. Glycolic Acid peels for nail rejuvenation. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2014;7(4):198-201. PubMed
  14. Vishal B, Rao SS, Pavithra S, Shenoy MM. Contact urticaria to glycolic acid peel. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2012;5(1):58-9. PubMed
  15. Nai RS, Ghiya BC, Mohta AK, Mehta RD. A randomized control trial of 20% glycolic acid versus 30% salicylic acid in the management of molluscum contagiosum. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2022;15(3):249-253. PubMed

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Glycolic Acid and Sodium Oxybate Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Glycolic Acid with Sodium Oxybate?
We do not list a known interaction between Glycolic Acid and Sodium Oxybate. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Should I take Glycolic Acid and Sodium Oxybate at the same time of day?
At least one FDA label for a product containing Sodium Oxybate says to take it with food. If you take Glycolic Acid on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate and take Sodium Oxybate with a meal where the label says to. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient — two Sodium Oxybate products can differ — so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.
Does Sodium Oxybate interact with any supplements?
Yes. Sodium Oxybate has documented interactions with 25 supplements in our database — Glycolic Acid is not one of them. The Sodium Oxybate interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next

Keep Exploring

Glycolic Acid monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Sodium Oxybate drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Sodium Oxybate supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Sodium Oxybate, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z Every drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements References The 16 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.