Fatalities associated with the use of gamma-hydroxybutyrate and its analogues in Australasia.
OBJECTIVE
To identify deaths in Australasia associated with overdose of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its precursors (gamma-butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol).


METHODS
A retrospective search of medical and scientific information sources, as well as popular newsprint, for the period January 2000-August 2003, with formal clinical, toxicological and forensic evaluation of retrieved data.


METHODS
Death associated with forensic data implicating GHB or its analogues.


RESULTS
Ten confirmed GHB-associated deaths were identified, with eight considered to be directly attributable to GHB. Only two of these eight cases were positive for ethanol toxicology.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study supports the existing evidence that GHB overdose is associated with fatalities, and that fatal overdoses occur in the context of isolated use.
Caldicott
David G E
DG
Department of Emergency Medicine and Trauma, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. dcaldico@mail.rah.sa.gov.au
Chow
Fiona Y
FY
Burns
Brian J
BJ
Felgate
Peter D
PD
Byard
Roger W
RW
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000506:poisoning*; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D012978:Sodium Oxybate