GHB Flashcards
GHB appearance smell taste
Clear liquid
Acetone smell
Salty taste
What is GBL
Precursor to GHB, converted to GHB in body
How is GBH taken
Orally or rectally
Endogenous GBH function
Not fully known, may be GABA and glutamate precursor
GHB MOA
GHB receptor agonist
GABAb weak agonist
GABAb effected first, once enough has been metabolised than drug conc is <GABAb activation threshold GHB receptor effects start
GHB rec agonist effects of GHB
Sudden wakefulness
Tachycardia
GABAb weak agonist effects of GHB
Sedation
Apnoeia
Miosis
Bradycardia
Respiratory depression
GHB diagnosis and Ix
Clinical diagnosis
Urine and blood tests not usually available, but can be used to include/exclude co congestants
GHB toxicity mx
No antidote
ABCDE
Naloxone if opioids co congested
When can a pt be discharged after GHB toxicity
Once sx free
V rapidly metabolised and cleared,, with no active metabolites
GHB withdrawal
Anxiety -> delirium -> confusion -> insomnia -> visual hallucinations over 5 days
Seizures
Why may raised GHB levels be found post mortem
Endogenous GHB conc incr due to decomposition
