Questions and Answers with NAM Michael Carter, Editor, Patient Information, NAM
GHB
I’ve noticed signs saying ‘GHB not welcome’ when
I’ve been out clubbing recently. What is GHB?
GHB (Gamma Hydroxybutyrate), also known as G or liquid ecstasy, is a popular
drug on the club scene, giving users an alcohol-like high with powerful sexual
effects. In 2003 it was made illegal and, yes, there has been a well-publicized
crackdown on its use on the club scene after several cases of overdose and
death.
For many years, sex shops openly sold GHB. However, it’s now illegal
to possess or sell it. Possession can carry a prison sentence of up to two
years and a conviction for dealing GHB can mean 14 years. The drug is usually
sold in brown plastic bottles, and people often use the cap to ‘measure’
a dose.
What does it do?
At low doses, GHB causes relaxation or sleep. Higher doses can lower blood
pressure and cause breathing difficulties. Overdose can cause unconsciousness
and coma. People with asthma, breathing problems, epilepsy or low blood pressure
are particularly likely to experience a bad reaction if they take the drug.
GHB usually starts to have an effect after about half an hour. People report
feeling uninhibited, exhilarated and relaxed. Worryingly, the effects can
last up to 24 hours.
What’s all the fuss about? All drugs can have a bad effect,
can’t they?
It’s difficult to say what a safe dose of GHB is, as concentrations
of the liquid vary. Therefore, it’s easy to overdose on GHB. Often this
is because people take a larger dose than they thought, or they take a repeat
dose because they do not think the first dose has worked. Symptoms of overdose
can include disorientation, dizziness, slurred speech, vomiting, breathing
problems, fits, stupor and coma. Many people have been hospitalised after
taking GHB and some have died, often because they developed breathing problems
or choked on their own vomit.GHB can also interact with alcohol and other
recreational drugs such as ecstasy and ketamine, making the effects of GHB
and these drugs unpredictable.
And what about GHB and HIV drugs?
Levels of GHB can be increased to a life-threatening extent if taken with
protease inhibitors, according to a report on a man who became unconscious
after taking a teaspoon of GHB while taking an anti-HIV combination including
ritonavir and saquinavir. He had also taken two ecstasy tablets the day before
along with another teaspoon of GHB. The man had reported no bad reaction to
either GHB or ecstasy before starting protease inhibitors. Doctors think that
the ritonavir and saquinavir slowed down the metabolism of ecstasy and GHB
causing the near fatal reaction.
Anything else I need to know?
There’s some evidence GHB may lower some people’s sexual inhibitions
and therefore make it more likely they will have riskier sex. As with any
drug, it’s also possible that the use of GHB might cause some people
to
forget to take their HIV medication. If you’re concerned about your
use of GHB, or any other drug, then talk to a member of your healthcare team.
• NAM provides information to help you think about your use of HIV treatments,
but this is not intended to replace discussion with your doctor.
