Driving under the influence of GHB?
A driver was found asleep behind the steering wheel of his car, and the vehicle was at rest in a traffic lane with the engine running. His manifestations included horizontal and vertical gaze nystagmus, muscle flaccidity, and severe ataxia. He admitted ingesting a white powder, which he identified as an amino acid, about 1 hour prior to discovery by police. A urine specimen collected approximately 1 hour after the traffic stop contained 1975 mg/L of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). We tentatively conclude that GHB may cause impairment of the psychomotor skills required for safe operation of a motor vehicle.
Stephens
B G
BG
Chemical Toxicology Institute, Foster City, CA 94404.
Baselt
R C
RC
D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine
D012978:Sodium Oxybate