Key facts
- Other names
- GHB Liquid ecstasy γ-hydroxybutyrate Fishies G
- Addiction liability
- High
- Routes of administration
- By mouth , intravenous
- Drug class
- GABA analogue , GHB receptor agonists — GABA receptor agonist ; Psycholeptic ; Depressant ;, Hypnotic , Sedative
- Atc code
- N01AX11 ( WHO ) N07XX04 ( WHO )
- Bioavailability
- 25% (oral)
- Metabolism
- 95–98%, mainly liver , also in blood and tissues
- Metabolites
- Succinic semialdehyde , Succinic acid
- Onset of action
- Within 5–15 minutes
- Elimination half life
- 30–60 minutes
- Excretion
- 1–5%, kidney
- Cas number
Article
γ-Hydroxybutyric acid, also known as gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, GHB, or 4-hydroxybutanoic acid, is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter and a depressant drug. It is a precursor to GABA, glutamate, and glycine in certain brain areas. It acts on the GHB receptor and is a weak agonist at the GABAB receptor. GHB has been used in medicine as a general anesthetic and as treatment for cataplexy, narcolepsy, and alcoholism. It is also used illicitly for performance enhancement, date rape, and recreation.
It is commonly used in the form of a salt, such as sodium γ-hydroxybutyrate (NaGHB, sodium oxybate, or Xyrem) or potassium γ-hydroxybutyrate (KGHB, potassium oxybate). GHB is produced as a result of fermentation, and is found in small quantities in some beers and wines, beef, and small citrus fruits.