Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (Ghb)

Are there any interactions with medications?

---

Alcohol
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Alcohol can cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Taking GHB along with alcohol might greatly increase sleepiness and drowsiness caused by alcohol. Taking GHB along with alcohol can lead to serious side effects. Do not take GHB if you have been drinking.

---

Amphetamines
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Amphetamines are drugs that can speed up your nervous system. GHB can slow down your nervous system. Taking GHB along with amphetamines can lead to serious side effects.

---

Haloperidol (Haldol)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

GHB can affect the brain. Haloperidol (Haldol) can also affect the brain. Taking haloperidol (Haldol) along with GHB might cause serious side effects.

---

Medications for mental conditions (Antipsychotic drugs)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

GHB can affect the brain. Medications for mental conditions also affect the brain. Taking GHB along with medications for mental conditions might increase the effects and serious side effects of GHB. Do not take GHB if you are taking medications for a mental condition.

Some of these medications include fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), haloperidol (Haldol), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), and others.

---

Medications used to prevent seizures (Anticonvulsants)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Medications used to prevent seizures affect chemicals in the brain. GHB is changed in the body to one of these brain chemicals called GABA. Taking GHB along with medications used to prevent seizures might decrease the effects of GHB.

Some medications used to prevent seizures include phenobarbital, primidone (Mysoline), valproic acid (Depakene), gabapentin (Neurontin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and others.

---

Muscle relaxants
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Muscle relaxants can cause drowsiness. GHB can also cause drowsiness. Taking GHB along with muscle relaxants might cause too much drowsiness and serious side effects. Do not take GHB if you are taking muscle relaxants.

Some of these muscle relaxants include carisoprodol (Soma), pipecuronium (Arduan), orphenadrine (Banflex, Disipal), cyclobenzaprine, gallamine (Flaxedil), atracurium (Tracrium), pancuronium (Pavulon), succinylcholine (Anectine), and others.

---

Naloxone (Narcan)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

GHB can affect the brain. Taking naloxone (Narcan) along with GHB might decrease the effects of GHB on the brain.

---

Ritonavir (Norvir)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Ritonavir (Norvir) and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase) are commonly used together for HIV/AIDS. Taking both of these medications plus GHB might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of GHB. This could cause serious side effects.

---

Saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase) and ritonavir (Norvir) are commonly used together for HIV/AIDS. Taking both these medications plus GHB might decrease how fast the body gets rid of GHB. This could cause serious side effects.

---

Sedative medications (Benzodiazepines)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

GHB might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness and drowsiness are called sedatives. Taking GHB along with sedative medications might cause serious side effects. Do not take GHB if you are taking sedative medications.

Some of these sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and others.

---

Sedative medications (CNS depressants)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

GHB might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking GHB along with sedative medications might cause serious side effects. Do not take GHB if you are taking sedative medications.

Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.

---

Medications for pain (Narcotic drugs)
Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Talk with your health provider.

Some medications for pain can cause sleepiness and drowsiness. GHB might also cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Taking GHB along with some medications for pain might cause severe side effects. Do not take GHB if you are taking medications for pain.

Some medications for pain include meperidine (Demerol), hydrocodone, morphine, OxyContin, and many others.

Dosing considerations for Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb).

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

• For narcolepsy and its symptoms: A dose of 25 mg/kg at bedtime, repeated 3 hours later. GHB should be used only under close medical supervision.
• For treating alcohol dependence: 50 to 150 mg/kg divided into 3 to 6 doses per day. GHB should be used only under close medical supervision.