Acute toxicity and withdrawal syndromes related to γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its analogues γ-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD)

Drug Test Anal. 2011 Jul-Aug;3(7-8):417-25. doi: 10.1002/dta.292. Epub 2011 May 6.

Abstract

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has been used as a recreational drug since the 1990s and over the last few years there has been increasing use of its analogues gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and to a lesser extent 1,4-butanediol (1,4BD). This review will summarize the literature on the pharmacology of these compounds; the patterns and management of acute toxicity associated with their use; and the clinical patterns of presentation and management of chronic dependency associated with GHB and its analogues.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 4-Butyrolactone / analysis
  • 4-Butyrolactone / pharmacology
  • 4-Butyrolactone / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Butylene Glycols / analysis
  • Butylene Glycols / pharmacology
  • Butylene Glycols / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs / analysis
  • Illicit Drugs / pharmacology
  • Illicit Drugs / toxicity*
  • Sodium Oxybate / analysis
  • Sodium Oxybate / pharmacology
  • Sodium Oxybate / toxicity*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / therapy*

Substances

  • Butylene Glycols
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Sodium Oxybate
  • 1,4-butanediol
  • 4-Butyrolactone