Alcohol in this case appears to have delayed the GHB toxicity. GHB has become popular with many young adults in recent years. It reportedly has been used in cases of date rape because it is odorless and nearly tasteless and can easily be slipped into someone's drink without detection. The drug causes a state of relaxation and can last from one to four hours. Most recently patients in Central Pennsylvania have been presenting with histories that they took ecstasy.
Ecstasy is a term usually applied to an amphetamine-like drug of abuse.
These patients however, have toxicity consistent with GHB intoxication. However, the unchecked sale of dangerous compounds such as butanediol, with still undefined clinical effects, is unfortunate. President Clinton recently signed legislation that attempts to limit access to some of these date rape agents.