Gamma-Butyrolactone Overdose Potentially Complicated by Co-Ingestion of Industrial Solvent N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone. Issue 3 (24th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Melamed, Jonathan; Gerona, Roy; Blanc, Paul D; Takamoto, Paul; Conner, Stephanie; Goodnough, Robert
• Is Part Of: Journal of analytical toxicology. Volume 45:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 322
• Page End: 324
• Publication Date: 2020-06-24
• Subjects: Drugs -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Toxicity testing -- Periodicals; 615.907
• DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa076
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0146-4760

Abstract

Abstract: Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is misused as an intoxicant, either alone or concurrently with other substances. Because GHB is illegal, the precursor chemicals 1, 4-butanediol and gamma-butyrolactone are also misused for the same effect, either through pre-ingestion alteration or endogenous metabolism to GHB. We describe a case of a 50-year-old man with a history of polysubstance misuse who experienced an overdose of GHB from gamma-butyrolactone ingestion. The patient also co-ingested a common industrial solvent, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). This co-ingested substance raised theoretical concern of metabolism to a GHB congener, underscoring that the emergence of new psychoactive substance use patterns requires ongoing vigilance and toxicologic confirmation.