title: Two cases of severe gamma-hydroxybutyrate withdrawal delirium on a psychiatric unit: recommendations for management.
abstract: Many psychiatric professionals are unfamiliar with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), an increasingly popular drug of abuse. GHB withdrawal can lead to psychosis and agitation, and patients may present to psychiatric facilities for treatment. Withdrawal may progress to delirium, with the potential for severe or even fatal medical complications. Therefore, it is imperative for psychiatric professionals to understand how to treat these patients. In this article, we describe two cases of severe GHB withdrawal syndrome that were treated in our inpatient psychiatric unit. These are among the most severe cases reported. Pertinent literature is reviewed and suggestions for treatment are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, School of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002-2000, USA. markrosenberg@bigfoot.com
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: Laurie J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Deerfield
authors.forename: Edward M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Baruch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003000:Clonidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003693:Delirium / Q000139:chemically induced; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002998:Clonazepam; D012978:Sodium Oxybate; D003000:Clonidine; D008140:Lorazepam; D010634:Phenobarbital