4-Hydroxybutyric Acid
4-Hydroxybutyric Acid Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.
Gamma hydroxybutyric acid, commonly abbreviated GHB, is a therapeutic drug which is illegal in multiple countries. It is currently regulated in the US and sold by Jazz Pharmaceuticals under the name Xyrem. However, it is important to note that GHB is a designated Orphan drug (in 1985). Today Xyrem is a Schedule III drug; however GHB remains a Schedule I drug and the illicit use of Xyrem falls under penalties of Schedule I. GHB is a naturally occurring substance found in the central nervous system, wine, beef, small citrus fruits and almost all other living creatures in small amounts. It is used illegally under the street names Juice, Liquid Ecstasy or simply G, either as an intoxicant, or as a date rape drug. Xyrem is a central nervous system depressant that reduces excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy.
GHB predominantly works at two distinct binding sites in the central nervous system: it works as an agonist at the newly-characterized excitatory GHB receptor, while acting as a weak agonist at the inhibitory GABAB receptor. Since it is a naturally occurring substance, its physiological action is similar to that of some endogenous neurotransmitters in mammalian brain. GHB is probably synthesized from GABA in GABAergic neurons, and released when the neurons fire.
| Trade Name | 4-Hydroxybutyric Acid |
| Generic | gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid |
| gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid Other Names | 3-carboxypropoxy acid, 4-hydroxy-butyric acid, 4-hydroxybutanoate, 4-hydroxybutanoic acid, 4-Hydroxybutyric acid, gamma-Hydroxybutyrate, oxy-n-butyric acid, Oxybate |
| Type | |
| Formula | C4H8O3 |
| Weight | Average: 104.1045 Monoisotopic: 104.047344122 |
| Groups | Approved, Illicit, Investigational |
| Therapeutic Class | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Available Country | |
| Last Updated: | September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am |
Uses
Used as a general anesthetic, to treat conditions such as insomnia, clinical depression, narcolepsy, and alcoholism, and to improve athletic performance.
How 4-Hydroxybutyric Acid works
GHB is present at much higher concentrations in the brain, where it activates GABA-B receptors to exert its sedative effects. With high affinity, GHB binds to excitatory GHB receptors that are densely expressed throughout the brain, including the cotex and hippocampus. There is some evidence in research that upon activation of GHB receptors in some brain areas, the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate is released. GHB stimulates dopamin release at low concentrations by acting on the GHB receptor, and the release of dopamine occurs in a biphasic manner. At higher concentrations, GHB inhibits dopamine release by acting on the GABA-B receptors, which is followed by GHB receptor signaling and increased release of dopamine. This explains the paradoxical mix of sedative and stimulatory properties of GHB, as well as the so-called "rebound" effect, experienced by individuals using GHB as a sleeping agent, wherein they awake suddenly after several hours of GHB-induced deep sleep. It is proposed that overtime, the level of GHB in the brain decreases below the threshold for significant GABA-B receptor activation, leading to preferential activation of GHB receptor over GABA-B receptors and enhanced wakefulness.
Toxicity
High doses of GHB may lead to nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, agitation, visual disturbances, depressed breathing, amnesia, unconsciousness, and death in some cases.
Volume of Distribution
- 190 to 384 mL/kg
Half Life
30 to 60 minutes
Clearance
- apparent oral cl=9.1 mL/min/kg [healthy adults receiving a single oral dose of 25 mg/kg]
- 4.5 mL/min/kg [cirrhotic patients without ascites receiving a single oral dose of 25 mg/kg]
- 4.1 mL/min/kg [cirrhotic patients with ascites receiving a single oral dose of 25 mg/kg]
Elimination Route
Animal studies indicate that metabolism is the major elimination pathway for sodium oxybate, producing carbon dioxide and water via the tricarboxylic acid (Krebs) cycle and secondarily by beta-oxidation. Succinic acid enters the Krebs cycle where it is metabolized to carbon dioxide and water. Fecal and renal excretion is negligible. 5% renal elimination.
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