Sodium Oxibate and Breathing

Sodium Oxibate and Breathing

The gamma-hydroxybutyrate acid (GHB) is a short chain fatty acid, an endogenous metabolite of gamma–aminobutyric acid (GABA), known major inhibitor neurotransmitter. The GHB presents an action fundamentally at Central Nervous System (CNS) level, and possesses a high affinity for specific receptors located in the cerebral cortex and in the medulla. Sodium Oxybate (SO) is the sodium salt of the GHB. Its character as inhibitor neuromodulator, with the possibility of inducing respiratory depression, and the potential risk of abuse/misuse forces clinicians to be constantly monitoring for signs of misuse.