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Withdrawal from gamma-hydroxybutyrate, 1,4-butanediol and gamma-butyrolactone: a case report and systematic review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Jeremy M. Wojtowicz ,
Mark C. Yarema  and
Paul M. Wax
Jeremy M. Wojtowicz*
Affiliation:
Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.
Mark C. Yarema
Affiliation:
Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta. Department of Emergency Medicine, Calgary Health Region, Calgary, Alta.
Paul M. Wax
Affiliation:
Section of Toxicology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Tex.
*
Department of Emergency Medicine, Room C231 Foothills Medical Centre, 1403-29 St. NW, Calgary AB T2N 2T9; jmwojtow@ucalgary.ca

Abstract

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1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BD) is an industrial solvent that is metabolized to gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist and central nervous system depressant. GHB and its analogues are popular drugs of abuse. Withdrawal from these agents is characterized by autonomic instability and altered mental status. We report a case of withdrawal from 1,4-BD lasting 6 days and complicated by new onset of seizures and rhabdomyolysis. In addition, we conducted a systematic review of the English literature pertaining to withdrawal from GHB, 1,4-BD and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL). Data collected from source articles included last use prior to symptom onset, clinical features on presentation, duration of symptoms and outcome. Twenty-seven studies with 57 episodes of withdrawal were included. Thirty-six cases (63%) involved GHB, 3 cases (5%) involved 1,4-BD and 18 (32%) involved GBL. The most common patient symptoms were tremor (67%), hallucinations (63%), tachycardia (63%) and insomnia (58%). Seizures and rhabdomyolysis each occurred in 7% of cases, but only 1 death occurred. Emergency physicians must consider withdrawal from these agents when patients present with clinical features suggestive of a sedative-hypnotic withdrawal syndrome.

Résumé

RÉSUMÉ

Le butane-1,4-diol (BD-1,4) est un solvant industriel qui se métabolise en 4-hydroxybutanoate (GHB), un agoniste de l'acide 4-aminobutanoïque et un dépresseur du système nerveux central. Le GHB et ses analogues sont des drogues populaires faisant l'objet d'abus. Le sevrage de ces agents se manifeste par une instabilité autonome et un état mental altéré. Nous présentons un cas de sevrage de BD-1,4 ayant duré 6 jours et ayant été compliqué par une nouvelle apparition de convulsions et de rhabdomyolyse. Nous avons en outre réalisé une revue systématique de la littérature anglaise portant sur le sevrage du GHB, du BD-1,4 et du gamma-butyrolactone (GBL). Les données recueillies des articles sources incluaient des renseignements sur la dernière utilisation avant la survenue de symptômes, les manifestations cliniques à l'arrivée des patients à l'urgence, la durée des symptômes et les résultats. La revue portait sur 27 études décrivant 57 épisodes de sevrage. Trente-six cas (63 %) étaient liés au GHB, 3 cas (5 %) au BD-1,4 et 18 (32 %) au GBL. Les tremblements (67 %), les hallucinations (63 %), la tachycardie (63 %) et l'insomnie (58 %) étaient les symptômes les plus courants observés chez les patients. Les convulsions et la rhabdomyolyse se sont manifestées respectivement dans 7 % des cas, mais seulement 1 décès a eu lieu. Lorsqu'un patient présente des manifestations cliniques évoquant le syndrome de sevrage de sédatifs hypnotiques, les médecins d'urgence devraient considérer la possibilité de sevrage de ces agents.

Keywords

1,4-butanediolgamma-hydroxybutyrategamma-butyrolactonesubstance withdrawal syndrome
Type
Case Report • Rapport de cas
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 10 , Issue 1 , January 2008 , pp. 69 - 74
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2008

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