Pharmacokinetics and excretion of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in healthy subjects.

In Europe and the United States, the recreational use of gammahydroxy butyric acid (GHB) at dance clubs and "rave" parties has increased substantially. In addition, GHB is used to assist in the commission of sexual assaults. The aim of this controlled clinical study was to acquire pharmacokinetic profiles, detection times, and excretion rates in human subjects. Eight GHB-na'ive volunteers were administered a single 25-mg/kg body weight oral dose of GHB, and plasma, urine, and oral fluid specimens were analyzed by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Liquid-liquid extraction was performed after acid conversion of GHB to gamma-butyrolactone. Limits of quantitation of 0.1 (oral fluid), 0.2 (urine), and 0.5 pg/mL (plasma) could be achieved in the selected ion monitoring mode. GHB plasma peaks of 39.4  25.2