2005/01/01 by Deborah L. Zvosec, Stephen W. Smith, Brad Hall +4 · 2 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · Neuroscience · Nursing · Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics · #Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques #Biochemical effects in animals #Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis #High Altitude and Hypoxia #Neurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments #Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
paper · doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2009.01.005
openalex publication_date 2005/01/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11
Fatalities resulting from popular use of gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) have previously been reported. We report three deaths associated with use of Xyrem (sodium oxybate), a pharmaceutical preparation of GHB initially approved for treatment of narcolepsy with cataplexy. One death appears associated with Xyrem abuse, with extremely high postmortem blood GHB levels documented. Although postmortem blood GHB levels in two other deaths are consistent with therapeutic levels, cause and effect cannot be established. We discuss these cases and factors which may have exerted contributory respiratory depressant effects, singly or in combination, including concurrent use of sedative hypnotics, obstructive sleep apnea, and obesity.