II. Preparations: Street Names
- Liquid E
- Liquid Ecstasy
- Liquid X
- Grievous Bodily Harm
- Easy Lay
III. Illicit Uses
- Date Rape for sedation and incapacitation
- Recreational drug for sedation and euphoria
- Anabolic Steroid alternative in bodybuilding
IV. History: Previous Medical Uses
- Surgical anesthetic in Europe (1960 in France)
- Induce short term coma
- Narcolepsy (Sodium oxybate)
- Alcohol Withdrawal (Sodium oxybate)
- Opiate dependency
- Classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance
- Non-prescription use banned in 1990 in U.S.
V. Pharmacology
- Derivative of gamma aminobutyric acid
- Colorless, odorless liquid
- Salty Taste
- Onset of effect within 15 to 30 minutes
- Peak activity at 20 to 60 minutes
- Effect decreases after 3-4 hours
VI. Symptoms
- Early
- Euphoria
- Later
- Dizziness
- Sialorrhea
- Hypotonia
- Amnesia
- Overdose
VII. Drug Interactions
- May be lethal in combination with drugs or Alcohol
VIII. Adverse Effects (see above)
- High risk of Overdose (dose often unknown)
- Sixty deaths from GHB in 2000 due to Overdose
- Bradycardia
- Hypothermia
- Respiratory depression
- Altered Level of Consciousness
- Seizure-like activity
- Coma
IX. Labs: Toxicology
- Detected by urine or Blood Gas chromatography
- Requires special testing by sensitive instrument
- Free GHB detection by National Forensic Laboratory
- National Medical Services: 800-522-6671
- Measurable only for 6-12 hours after ingestion
- Quickly excreted into urine
- Often cleared with first void
X. Management: Withdrawal Syndrome from frequent large dose GHB use
- See GHB Withdrawal
XI. References
- Galloway (1996) News of Cal Soc Addict Med 23(1):1
- Dyer (2001) Ann Emerg Med 37(2):147-52 [PubMed]
- Gahlinger (2004) Am Fam Physician 69:2619-27 [PubMed]
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| Definition (CSP) | hydroxy derivative of butyric acid substituted at the gamma, or 4 position; intermediate in the metabolism of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). |
| Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109) |
| MSH | D012978 |
| SnomedCT | 259470008, 102645005, 386029006 |
| LNC | LP28491-6, MTHU013043 |
| English | gamma hydroxybutyrate, Gamma hydroxybutyrate, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, 4-hydroxybutyrate, ghb, gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (substance), 4-Hydroxybutanoate, Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, gamma Hydroxybutyrate, 4-Hydroxybutyrate, GHB, 4-Hydroxybutyrate (substance), gamma-Hydroxybutyrate |
| Portuguese | gama-Hidroxibutirato |
| Spanish | gammahidroxibutirato, gamma-hidroxibutirato, 4 - hidroxibutirato, gamma - hidroxibutirato (sustancia), 4 - hidroxibutanato, gamma - hidroxibutirato, 4-hidroxibutirato (sustancia), 4-hidroxibutirato |
| German | Gamma-Hydroxybutyrat |
| French | gamma-Hydroxybutyrate, 4-Hydroxybutyrate, 4-Hydroxy-butyrate, gamma-Hydroxy-butyrate |
