Orphan Medical Issues Xyrem Prescriptions Update
Monday July 12, 4:00 pm ET

Minneapolis, MN - July 12, 2004

Orphan Medical, Inc., announced that the total number of filled Xyrem® (sodium oxybate) oral solution prescriptions in the six-week period ended June 30, 2004 were 3,425, up 16 percent over the prior six-week period. For the quarter, total filled prescriptions increased by 25 percent over the previous quarter. Xyrem is the first and only approved treatment for cataplexy associated with narcolepsy.

The Company also announced that it will host a live Webcast of its second-quarter results conference call on Wednesday, July 21, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The Orphan Medical management team will host the call to discuss results for the quarter along with ongoing clinical and commercial efforts. 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, 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 worsening 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. All patients with narcolepsy suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness.

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 being assessed as a treatment for the full range of narcolepsy symptoms including excessive daytime sleepiness. The Company is also conducting a trial to evaluate Xyrem as a treatment for symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome. Orphan Medical's Internet Web site address is www.orphan.com

Contact

Orphan Medical, Inc., Minneapolis Tim McGrath, 952-513-6900 or David Folkens, 952-513-6994

Source: Orphan Medical, Inc.

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.