γ-Hydroxybutyrate Use in Older Adults
Authors: D. Eric Brush, Steven B. Bird, Edward W. Boyer
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2004)

Letters15 June 2004γ-Hydroxybutyrate Use in Older AdultsD. Eric Brush, MD, Steven B. Bird, MD, and Edward W. Boyer, MD, PhDD. Eric Brush, MDFrom University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA 01655.Search for more papers by this author, Steven B. Bird, MDFrom University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA 01655.Search for more papers by this author, and Edward W. Boyer, MD, PhDFrom University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA 01655.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-140-12-200406150-00028-w1 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Background: Use of the “club drug” γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), or its precursors γ-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD), is highly prevalent among youths seeking euphoric effects and body builders hoping to increase growth hormone production (1, 2). According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network, 59% of emergency department visits related to GHB involved persons younger than 25 years of age, whereas only 10% of cases involved persons older than 35 (3). Although adolescents and young adults commonly abuse GHB and its precursors, the prevalence of abuse among older Americans is unknown.Case Report: A 63-year-old man ingested approximately 30 ...References1. Multistate outbreak of poisonings associated with illicit use of gamma hydroxy butyrate. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1990;39:861-3. [PMID: 2122223] MedlineGoogle Scholar2. Dyer JE. gamma-Hydroxybutyrate: a health-food product producing coma and seizurelike activity. Am J Emerg Med. 1991;9:321-4. [PMID: 2054002] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. The DAWN report: Club Drugs. Rockville, MD: SAMSHA; 2000:3. Google Scholar4. Gamma hydroxy butyrate use—New York and Texas, 1995-1996. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1997;46:281-3. [PMID: 9121419] MedlineGoogle Scholar5. Zvosec DL, Smith SW, McCutcheon JR, Spillane J, Hall BJ, Peacock EA. Adverse events, including death, associated with the use of 1,4-butanediol. N Engl J Med. 2001;344:87-94. [PMID: 11150358] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Brush D. CPC Case #2 (a review of GHB withdrawal). Internet Journal of Medical Toxicology. 2002;5:16-8. Google Scholar7. Poklis A. AACP/CAP Urine Drug Testing (Screening) Survey Set UDS-C. Northfield, IL: College of American Pathologists; 1999:1-8. Google Scholar8. Kavanagh PV, Kenny P, Feely J. The urinary excretion of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in man. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2001;53:399-402. [PMID: 11291756] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. Sporer KA, Chin RL, Dyer JE, Lamb R. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate serum levels and clinical syndrome after severe overdose. Ann Emerg Med. 2003;42:3-8. [PMID: 12827115] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. Yeatman DT, Reid K. A study of urinary endogenous gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) levels. J Anal Toxicol. 2003;27:40-2. [PMID: 12587682] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA 01655. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byBiologic Response Modifier Therapy for Psoriatic Ocular Inflammatory Disease 15 June 2004Volume 140, Issue 12Page: W-70-W-71KeywordsAdolescentsAttentionChromatographyDrugsElderlyEpileptic seizuresGrowth hormoneIngestionInternetUrine ePublished: 15 June 2004 Issue Published: 15 June 2004 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2004 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...