Chemical structure of GHBGamma-hydroxybutyrate powder
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Xyrem

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (4-hydroxybutanoic acid, C4H8O3) is both a drug and a naturally occurring compound found in the central nervous system as well as in other organs as liver, kidneys, heart and bones. GHB is structurally similar to the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate. As a drug it is used most commonly in the form of a chemical salt (Na-GHB or K-GHB). The sodium salt is commercially known as sodium oxybate. more...

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Uses

Endogenous

The precise function of GHB in body is not clear. It is an immediate precursor to GABA, a neurotransmitter which regulates awakeness, physical activity and sleep. As GABA cannot cross blood-brain barrier, GHB obtained from food may be used for converting to GABA. GHB prevents cells from oxygen starvation, which might explain presence of the compound in vital organs. GHB was also found to have neuroprotective capabilities.

Medical

It has been used as a general anesthetic, and a hypnotic in the treatment of insomnia. GHB has also been used to treat clinical depression, and improve athletic performance. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration permits the use of GHB under the trade name Xyrem to reduce the number of cataplexy attacks in patients with narcolepsy.

Recreational

GHB is an intoxicant. It may be known as G, Liquid X, Liquid E. It is less commonly known as GBH, Gamma-oh, Georgia Homeboy, Blue Verve, Gamma-G, Qi, scoop, goop, Grievous Bodily Harm, or Get Hospitalised Bitch.

Its potential for use as a date rape drug in the 1990s led to it being placed in the US on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act in March, 2000. On March 20, 2001, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs placed GHB in Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. In the UK it was made a class C drug in June 2003.

The sodium salt of GHB has a thin, very salty, chemical taste. At low doses, GHB can cause a state of euphoria, increased sociality and intoxication. This kind of use is particularly common at rave parties. At higher doses, GHB may induce nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, visual disturbances, depressed breathing, amnesia and unconsciousness. The effects of GHB can last from 1.5 to 3 hours.

Some chemicals convert to GHB in the stomach and blood. GBL, or gamma-butyrolactone, is one such precursor. It is 1,6 times more potent than GHB, so 1ml of GBL is equivalent to 0,4g of GHB. GBL has also a shorter onset and is longer acting than GHB. GBL has an extremely bad taste and is also known to irritate innards and skin.

Other precursors include 1,4-butanediol. There may be additional toxicity concerns with these precursors.

Mode of action

The action of GHB has yet to be fully elucidated. GHB clearly has at least two sites of action, stimulating the newly characterized and aptly named "GHB receptor" as well as the GABAB. GHB, if it is indeed a neurotransmitter, will only reach concentrations high enough to act at the GHB receptor, as it only has weak affinity fo the GABAB. However, during recreational usage, GHB can reach very high concentrations in the brain, relative to basal levels, and can act at the GABAB receptor . GHBs action at the GABAB is probably responsible for its sedative effects. GHB-mediated GABAB receptor stimulation inhibits dopamine release as well as causes the release of natural sedative neurosteroids (like all other GABAB agonists e.g. Baclofen). In animals GHBs sedative effects can be stopped by GABAB antagonists (blockers).

Read more at Wikipedia.org


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Jazz Pharmaceuticals Announces European Commission Marketing Approval of Xyrem
From PR Newswire, 12/8/05

UCB Launches Xyrem in Germany

PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the European Commission has granted marketing approval in the European Union of Xyrem(R) (sodium oxybate) oral solution for the treatment of cataplexy in adult patients with narcolepsy. Xyrem is marketed in the European Union by UCB, which today announced the product's availability in Germany.

"Xyrem will be the first and only drug approved in Europe for the treatment of cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy. We are pleased that this important therapy will now be available to physicians and patients in Europe," said Robert M. Myers, Chief Business Officer of Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

Narcolepsy is a debilitating neurological disorder. Cataplexy is a typical symptom of narcolepsy, second in frequency only to excessive daytime sleepiness. Cataplexy is a sudden loss of control over voluntary muscles, usually triggered by emotions such as amusement, anger, arousal or fear. Severe cataplexy attacks can cause complete postural collapse.

About Xyrem in the United States

Xyrem is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy. Xyrem is marketed in the United States by Jazz Pharmaceuticals through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Orphan Medical.

Xyrem is a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act and is only available through a restricted distribution system called the Xyrem Success Program(R). Please refer to the Xyrem package insert ( http://www.xyrem.com/ ) for full prescribing information. Sodium oxybate, the active ingredient in Xyrem, is a sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyrate, a substance with a history of abuse when acquired illicitly and used illegally. Abuse of illicit gamma-hydroxybutyrate has been associated with adverse CNS events including seizures, respiratory depression and profound decreases in level of consciousness, with instances of coma and death.

About Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is focused on helping patients by meeting unmet medical needs in neurology and psychiatry with important and innovative therapeutic products. Jazz Pharmaceuticals is aggressively building its product portfolio through a combination of commercialization and development activities. Based in Palo Alto, California, the company is committed to working closely with patients, patient advocacy groups and healthcare professionals. For further information, visit http://www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com/ .

CONTACT: Mark Leonard of Next Level Communications, +1-847-267-9660, or markdleonard@comcast.net ; or Matthew Fust, Chief Financial Officer of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-650-496-3777, or mediainfo@jazzpharma.com

Web site: http://www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com/ http://www.xyrem.com/

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COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

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