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Published:
Journal of Analytical Toxicology,
ISSN 0146-4760,
Volume 31, Number 3, April 2007,
pp.179-180
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: GHB Urine Concentrations After Single-Dose
Administration in Humans
Oladapo Odujebe, Adam Landman, and Robert S. Hoffman
Emergency Medicine, New York University, 455 1st Avenue, Room 123 New York,
New York 10016
We enjoyed reading Haller et al. recent evaluation of a novel
assay to detect urine gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) concentrations. Although this
study was well-designed, using a double-blind, four-arm, crossover design, we
have some concerns over their results. Specifically, the authors note that GHB
disappears from the urine more rapidly than previously noted. The study used
sodium oxybate, a solid salt, whereas street GHB is a colorless, poorly charged
liquid. These two formulations have different pharmacokinetic properties and
may exhibit different urinary assay results. Furthermore, the interactions of
these two forms of GHB with ethanol may be distinct. Also, we question whether
the ingested dose may alter the results. Though we recognize the limitation
of a human volunteer study, it is striking that the authors do not provide a
clinical description of the subjects. The absence of significant sedation following
the co-ingestion of ethanol and GHB suggests that the dose is small in relation
to street doses. This could lead to a shorter detection window.
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