Orphan Medical Issues Xyrem Prescriptions Update - Clinical Portion of Phase III(b) Trial Complete

Minneapolis, MN - April 12, 2004

Orphan Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq:ORPH) announced that the total number of filled Xyrem(R) (sodium oxybate) oral solution prescriptions in the past six weeks were 2,738, up 17 percent from the prior six-week period.

The Company also announced that the last patient visit for its SXB-15 Phase III(b) trial has been completed. Orphan Medical had previously announced the completion of enrollment for this trial designed to evaluate improvement in excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) when Xyrem is used in conjunction with stimulants. Initial data from the trial is expected to be available by June of this year.

The Company noted two milestones regarding its Xyrem patent portfolio. The European Xyrem formulation patent, granted in May 2003, has completed the opposition period unopposed. Also, the United States Patent Office recently allowed a claim to the Xyrem formulation. This permits the Company to list the issued patent in the FDA's Orange Book of approved drug products and entitles the Company to the statutory protections of the Hatch-Waxman Act.

The Company also announced that it will host a live Webcast of its first-quarter results conference call on Wednesday, April 21, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The Orphan Medical management team will host the call to discuss first-quarter results.

To access the Webcast, go to the investor section of the Orphan Medical Web site at http://www.orphan.com and click on the Webcast icon. A replay of the Webcast will be available at the same address for two weeks.

Narcolepsy is a chronic, debilitating neurological disease. Cataplexy associated with narcolepsy, a sudden loss of muscle tone, is usually triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, anger, or surprise. As such, patients often selectively isolate themselves from interaction with others resulting in a dramatic effect on a patient's quality of life. Narcolepsy afflicts approximately 100,000 to 140,000 Americans with about 50,000 to 75,000 patients receiving some form of treatment for their symptoms. An estimated sixty to ninety percent of those with narcolepsy suffer from cataplexy.

Orphan Medical acquires, develops, and markets pharmaceuticals of high medical value for inadequately treated and uncommon CNS diseases treated by specialist physicians. The lead product for the company is Xyrem, which is the first and only approved treatment for cataplexy associated with narcolepsy. Xyrem is also being assessed as a treatment for the full range of narcolepsy symptoms including excessive daytime sleepiness. Orphan Medical's pipeline includes development stage products for fibromyalgia and pain. Orphan Medical's Internet Web site address is www.orphan.com

The information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's assumptions and expectations. These are set forth in the cautionary statements included in Orphan Medical's most recent Form 10-Q or Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (These documents can be accessed through the Orphan Medical Web site at http://www.orphan.com ). All forward-looking statements are qualified by, and should be considered in conjunction with, such cautionary statements.