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Inpatient GHB withdrawal management in an inner-city hospital in Sydney, Australia: a retrospective medical record review. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:127-135. [PMID: 36508055 PMCID: PMC9816228 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06283-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Regular consumption of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) may result in a dependence syndrome that can lead to withdrawal symptoms. There are limited data on medications to manage GHB withdrawal. OBJECTIVES To examine characteristics associated with delirium and discharge against medical advice (DAMA), in the context of implementing a GHB withdrawal management protocol at an inner-city hospital in 2020. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed records (01 January 2017-31 March 2021), and included admissions that were ≥ 18 years of age, admitted for GHB withdrawal, and with documented recent GHB use. Admissions were assessed for demographics, medications administered, features of delirium, ICU admission, and DAMA. Exploratory analyses were conducted to examine factors associated (p < 0.2) with features of delirium and DAMA. RESULTS We identified 135 admissions amongst 91 patients. Medications administered included diazepam (133 admissions, 98.5%), antipsychotics (olanzapine [70 admissions, 51.9%]), baclofen (114 admissions, 84%), and phenobarbital (8 admissions, 5.9%). Features of delirium were diagnosed in 21 (16%) admissions. Delirium was associated with higher daily GHB consumption prior to admission, while duration of GHB use, time from presentation to first dose of diazepam, and concomitant methamphetamine use were inversely associated with delirium. DAMA occurred amongst 41 (30%) admissions, and was associated with a longer time from presentation to first dose of baclofen, while being female and receiving a loading dose of diazepam were inversely associated. CONCLUSIONS This study adds to the literature in support of the safety and feasibility of diazepam and baclofen for the management of GHB withdrawal. Prospective, randomised trials are required.
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Tay E, Lo WKW, Murnion B. Current Insights on the Impact of Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) Abuse. Subst Abuse Rehabil 2022; 13:13-23. [PMID: 35173515 PMCID: PMC8843350 DOI: 10.2147/sar.s315720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Tay
- Drug Health Services, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Wing Kwan Winky Lo
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bridin Murnion
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Correspondence: Bridin Murnion, Drug Health Services, Western Sydney Local Health District, 4A Fleet Street, North Parramatta, NSW, 2151, Australia, Tel +61 2 9840 3888, Fax +61 2 9840 3927, Email
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Characterization of the GHB Withdrawal Syndrome. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10112333. [PMID: 34073640 PMCID: PMC8199158 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10112333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) withdrawal syndrome can have a fulminant course, complicated by severe complications such as delirium or seizures. Detoxification by tapering with pharmaceutical GHB is a safe way to manage GHB withdrawal. However, a detailed description of the course of the GHB withdrawal syndrome is currently lacking. This study aimed to (1) describe the course of GHB withdrawal symptoms over time, (2) assess the association between vital signs and withdrawal symptoms, and (3) explore sex differences in GHB withdrawal. In this observational multicenter study, patients with GHB use disorder (n = 285) were tapered off with pharmaceutical GHB. The most reported subjective withdrawal symptoms (SWS) were related to cravings, fatigue, insomnia, sweating and feeling gloomy. The most prevalent objective withdrawal symptoms (OWS) were related to cravings, fatigue, tremors, sweating, and sudden cold/warm feelings. No association between vital signs and SWS/OWS was found. Sex differences were observed in the severity and prevalence of specific withdrawal symptoms. Our results suggest that the GHB withdrawal syndrome under pharmaceutical GHB tapering does not strongly differ from withdrawal syndromes of other sedative drugs. The lack of association between vital signs and other withdrawal symptoms, and the relative stability of vitals over time suggest that vitals are not suitable for withdrawal monitoring. The reported sex differences highlight the importance of a personalized approach in GHB detoxification.
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Dijkstra BAG, Beurmanjer H, Goudriaan AE, Schellekens AFA, Joosten EAG. Unity in diversity: A systematic review on the GHB using population. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 94:103230. [PMID: 33892279 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the past decades gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has emerged as a popular drug with high potential of (ab)use due to its euphoric and relaxing effects. An overview of different populations using GHB is urgently needed, since this would enable development of adequate prevention and treatment policies to diminish the risks associated with GHB use. We systematically reviewed literature on different GHB using populations, comparing demographic characteristics, GHB use patterns, psychosocial aspects and psychiatric comorbidity. METHODS We conducted a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using Rayyan software. Original studies published from January 1997 up to October 2019 on GHB use were included. Out of 80 full-text articles, 60 articles of 51 unique studies were included. Most studies included people using GHB 1) presenting at emergency departments (n = 22), 2) recruited from the general population (n = 11), or 3) presenting at addiction care (n = 8). RESULTS Three main sub-populations of people using GHB are described in the literature: people using GHB recreationally without adverse effects; people using GHB recreationally with adverse effects, and people with dependence on GHB. These groups show considerable overlap in gender, age range, and comorbid substance use, as well as amount of GHB use per occasion. Differences are related to frequency and function of GHB use, the number of comas experienced, as well as work status, and psychiatric comorbidity. CONCLUSION Policy interventions should aim at preventing the transition from recreational substance use to GHB use, as most users are experienced recreational substance users prior to starting GHB use. When people use GHB regularly, interventions should aim at reducing the level of GHB use and preventing GHB use-related harm. Longitudinal studies and population-based probability sampling are required for more insight in the dynamics of GHB use in different sub-populations, and the transition from one group to the other, ultimately leading to dependence on GHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A G Dijkstra
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioner in Addiction (NISPA), Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboudumc, Department of Psychiatry, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Novadic-Kentron Addiction Treatment Center, Vught, the Netherlands.
| | - H Beurmanjer
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioner in Addiction (NISPA), Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Novadic-Kentron Addiction Treatment Center, Vught, the Netherlands
| | - A E Goudriaan
- Jellinek and Arkin, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A F A Schellekens
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioner in Addiction (NISPA), Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboudumc, Department of Psychiatry, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - E A G Joosten
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioner in Addiction (NISPA), Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboudumc, Department of Psychiatry, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Donnadieu-Rigole H, Peyrière H, Benyamina A, Karila L. Complications Related to Sexualized Drug Use: What Can We Learn From Literature? Front Neurosci 2020; 14:548704. [PMID: 33328844 PMCID: PMC7732585 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.548704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemsex is described as the use of specific psychoactive substances (PS) during sexual activity to sustain, enhance, disinhibit or facilitate the sexual experience. It preferentially concerns men who have sex with men (MSM). They use new synthetic substances like cathinones, methamphetamines, gamma-butyrolactone/gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GBL/GHB), ketamine, and cocaine. The prevalence of chemsex varies from 3 to 31% during lifetime. The Internet has participated significantly in the evolution of sexual behaviors, both in terms of sexual dating and the availability of new synthetic substances. The advent of geolocation applications contributed to the development of chemsex. The literature describes many complications linked to these sexual practices; the main clinical effects related to cathinones consumption were psychiatric symptoms; agitation, hallucinations, anxiety, suicidal ideation, paranoia, and confusion. Regular GBL/GHB consumption alter cognitive functions, particularly memory and emotion management. Use of these drugs in party and play is dramatically associated with high-risk sexual behaviors. The prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C syphilis, and HIV is higher in men who use methamphetamine and Viagra and/or who declared they practiced slamming, chemsex, and fisting. Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea have increased with methamphetamine and GHB/GBL use. Actually, the care of individuals who practice Chemsex in a problematic way is currently not codified, but the use of integrative and specific interventions is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Donnadieu-Rigole
- Addictions Department, Saint Eloi Hospital, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,INSERM U 1058, Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections (PCCI), Montpellier, France
| | - Hélène Peyrière
- INSERM U 1058, Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections (PCCI), Montpellier, France.,Addictovigilance Center, Department of Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Amine Benyamina
- Centre d'Enseignement, de Recherche et de Traitement des Addictions, Hôpital Universitaire Paul-Brousse (APHP), Villejuif, France.,Paris-Saclay University, Saint-Aubin, France
| | - Laurent Karila
- Centre d'Enseignement, de Recherche et de Traitement des Addictions, Hôpital Universitaire Paul-Brousse (APHP), Villejuif, France.,Paris-Saclay University, Saint-Aubin, France.,Unité de Recherche PSYCOMADD, Villejuif, France
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Sinenchenko AG, Lodyagin AN, Savello VE, Batotsyrenov BV, Antonova AM, Shumakova TA. [Acute severe oral poisoning with 1,4-butandiol and ethanol with the development of coma]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2020; 120:77-81. [PMID: 32323948 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro202012003177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A case of acute oral poisoning by 1.4-butanediol, complicated by the development of severe hypoxia in a 34-year-old patient actively engaged in bodybuilding, is presented. The psychoactive substance was used by the patient to increase sexual activity and physical stamina. The duration of systematic daily intake was 4 months. The toxicogenic stage of acute poisoning was caused by a single dose of 50 ml of undiluted 13% 1.4-butanediol together with ethanol, manifested by convulsive syndrome, depression of consciousness to the level of coma II, acute respiratory failure with aspiration syndrome, respiratory acidosis (pH 7.22; partial pressure carbon dioxide 61.2 mm Hg), lactic acidosis up to 7 mmol / L, hyperammonemia up to 240 μmol / L, cerebral edema (decrease in white matter density to 21.6 ± 1.7 HU units), loss of vascular tone resistance (pareso arterioles) and a significant increase in cerebral blood flow rate to 115 ± 20.1 ml / 100 g per minute, increasing the volume of extracellular fluid (+ 130% of the proper volumes). Intensive therapy was complex, including infusion and detoxification therapy, correction of acid-base disorders, hypoxic disorders by using a substrate antihypoxant (Cytoflavin) in a daily dosage of 0.57 ml / kg body weight daily, for 9 days. The article discusses the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of 1.4-butanediol, radiation diagnostics and the clinical picture of acute poisoning, the features of its course, and pathogenetic approaches to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Sinenchenko
- Dzhanelidze St. Petersburg Research Institute of Emergency Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - A N Lodyagin
- Dzhanelidze St. Petersburg Research Institute of Emergency Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - V E Savello
- Dzhanelidze St. Petersburg Research Institute of Emergency Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - B V Batotsyrenov
- Dzhanelidze St. Petersburg Research Institute of Emergency Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - A M Antonova
- Dzhanelidze St. Petersburg Research Institute of Emergency Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - T A Shumakova
- Dzhanelidze St. Petersburg Research Institute of Emergency Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Arunogiri S, Moayeri F, Crossin R, Killian JJ, Smith K, Scott D, Lubman DI. Trends in gamma-hydroxybutyrate-related harms based on ambulance attendances from 2012 to 2018 in Victoria, Australia. Addiction 2020; 115:473-479. [PMID: 31618793 DOI: 10.1111/add.14848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Although the prevalence of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) use is relatively low globally, harms related to the drug appear to be increasing. Few existing studies present reliable, representative, population-level data on GHB-related harms. The aim of this study was to investigate trends in acute GHB-related harms within an ambulance database in Australia. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of data on all GHB-related ambulance attendances in the state of Victoria, Australia during a 7-year period (January 2012-December 2018) MEASUREMENTS: Presentations were characterized based on patient demographics, transport to hospital, co-occurring substance use (i.e. GHB only, alcohol, methamphetamine, heroin, benzodiazepine and cannabis) and clinical presentation (e.g. symptoms of anxiety, psychosis, depression). FINDINGS There were 5866 GHB-related ambulance attendances between 2012 and 2018, with the prevalence rate increasing from 8.8 per 100 000 population in 2012 to a maximum of 21.7 per 100 000 population in 2017. Methamphetamine [odds ratio (OR) = 6.23, P < 0.001] and benzodiazepine-related (OR = 1.43, P < 0.001) co-occurrences; ages between 18-29 (OR = 6.58, P < 0.001) and 30-39 years (OR = 2.02, P < 0.001); and male gender (OR = 1.23, P < 0.001) were significant predictors of GHB-related attendances. CONCLUSIONS There has been a 147% increase in the prevalence of GHB-related ambulance attendances in Victoria, Australia between 2012 and 2019, largely attributable to a growth in the proportions of people using gamma-hydroxybutyrate alone or concurrently with methamphetamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Arunogiri
- Monash Addiction Research Centre and Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC, Australia.,Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Rose Crossin
- Monash Addiction Research Centre and Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC, Australia.,Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, VIC, Australia
| | - Jessica J Killian
- Monash Addiction Research Centre and Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC, Australia.,Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, VIC, Australia
| | - Karen Smith
- Ambulance Victoria, Doncaster, VIC, Australia.,Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, Monash University, Frankston, VIC, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Richmond, VIC, Australia
| | - Debbie Scott
- Monash Addiction Research Centre and Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC, Australia.,Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, VIC, Australia
| | - Dan I Lubman
- Monash Addiction Research Centre and Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC, Australia.,Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, VIC, Australia
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