Gamma Hydroxybutyrate

Aka: Gamma Hydroxybutyrate, GHB

II. Preparations: Street Names

  1. Liquid E
  2. Liquid Ecstasy
  3. Liquid X
  4. Grievous Bodily Harm
  5. Easy Lay

III. Illicit Uses

  1. Date Rape for sedation and incapacitation
  2. Recreational drug for sedation and euphoria
  3. Anabolic Steroid alternative in bodybuilding

IV. History: Previous Medical Uses

  1. Surgical Anesthetic in Europe (1960 in France)
  2. Induce short term coma
  3. Narcolepsy (Sodium oxybate)
  4. Alcohol Withdrawal (Sodium oxybate)
  5. Opiate dependency
  6. Classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance
    1. Non-prescription use banned in 1990 in U.S.

V. Pharmacology

  1. Derivative of gamma aminobutyric acid
  2. Colorless, odorless liquid
  3. Salty Taste
  4. Onset of effect within 15 to 30 minutes
  5. Peak activity at 20 to 60 minutes
  6. Effect decreases after 3-4 hours

VI. Symptoms

  1. Early
    1. Euphoria
  2. Later
    1. Dizziness
    2. Sialorrhea
    3. Hypotonia
    4. Amnesia
  3. Overdose
    1. Cheyne-Stokes Respiration
    2. Seizures
    3. Coma

VII. Drug Interactions

  1. May be lethal in combination with drugs or Alcohol

VIII. Adverse Effects (see above)

  1. High risk of Overdose (dose often unknown)
    1. Sixty deaths from GHB in 2000 due to Overdose
  2. Bradycardia
  3. Hypothermia
  4. Respiratory depression
  5. Altered Level of Consciousness
  6. Seizure-like activity
  7. Coma

IX. Labs: Toxicology

  1. Detected by urine or Blood Gas chromatography
    1. Requires special testing by sensitive instrument
    2. Free GHB detection by National Forensic Laboratory
      1. National Medical Services: 800-522-6671
  2. Measurable only for 6-12 hours after ingestion
    1. Quickly excreted into urine
    2. Often cleared with first void

X. Management: Withdrawal Syndrome from frequent large dose GHB use

  1. See GHB Withdrawal

XI. References

  1. Galloway (1996) News of Cal Soc Addict Med 23(1):1
  2. Dyer (2001) Ann Emerg Med 37(2):147-52 [PubMed]
  3. Gahlinger (2004) Am Fam Physician 69:2619-27 [PubMed]

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Related Studies

Ontology: gamma hydroxybutyrate (C0000503)

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
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Related Topics in Chemical Dependency

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