Category: pharmacological
Aliases: gamma-hydroxybutyrate, sodium oxybate, Xyrem, G
γ-hydroxybutyrate, an endogenous GABA metabolite; an agonist at GABA-B and at specific high-affinity GHB receptors, producing CNS depression, euphoria, and (marketed) anabolic/sleep effects. Very narrow margin between recreational sedation and coma/respiratory depression. Medical form is sodium oxybate (Xyrem) for narcolepsy/cataplexy.
PO: 0.51h
PubChem CID 10413. PK: Brenneisen 2004 (PMID:15538955) verbatim "The terminal plasma elimination half-life was 30.4 +/- 2.45 min" after a single oral 25 mg/kg dose in 8 healthy volunteers (=0.51 h). GABA-B occupancy deferred.