Citation

Lenz D, Rothschild MA, Kröner L. Ther. Drug. Monit. 2008; 30(6): 755-761.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/FTD.0b013e3181898c2e

PMID

18824955

Abstract

In Europe, the misuse of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and its analogues has increased within the recent years. Here, 2 fatalities and 1 nonfatal intoxication resulting from ingestion of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a precursor of GHB, are presented. GHB was quantified involving the conversion to GBL by application of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. Besides quantitation of GHB equivalents ("total GBL"), all specimens of case 1 were analyzed for the metabolic precursor GBL itself (absolute GBL). The cause of death in each case was attributed to GHB intoxication; the manner of death was suicide in the first case and accidental in the second one. Another yet nonfatal GHB intoxication was reported by an emergency department concerning a 36-year-old woman who was hospitalized due to her comatose state and loss of adverse effects reflexes. Here nail polish remover pads were used as source for GBL.

Language: en

Keywords

4-Butyrolactone; Adult; Brain; Female; Humans; Hydroxybutyrates; Male; Muscle, Skeletal; Substance-Related Disorders; Tissue Distribution