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Alert about Misuse of Consumer Products
Containing Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB), Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL), and
1,4 Butanediol (BD)
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
Rockville, MD 20857
June 15, 1999
TO ALL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
The Food and Drug Administration is concerned about the use and misuse of consumer products, some of which are labeled dietary supplements. and other products containing gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), gamma
butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4 butanediol (BD). It is illegal to manufacture and distribute GHB, GBL, or BD-containing products for human consumption. More than 122 serious illnesses and three deaths have been reported, as a result of using products that contain these ingredients. As the use of these products have increased during the past few years, complications associated with their use have increased. In 1990, FDA banned
the use of GHB but some companies switched ingredients to GBL. and after warnings about GBL, some switched to BID. These are all very
similar chemicals which the body converts to GHB-with the same dangerous effects.
To warn consumers about the dangers surrounding these products, FDA has issued
the attached flyers. These flyers outline the dangers of using products in the GHB
family. Please disseminate the flyers in prominent places throughout your organization, in addition, we are asking that you publish the attached information in your publications, magazines or association/company newsletter.
I hope you will support FDA's effort to bring this critical information to consumers about the dangers associated with products containing these chemicals. If you would like additional information about any of these products, please contact
the Drug Information Branch at 1-888-INFO-FDA. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support. Sincerely,
Janet Woodcock, M.D.
Director
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Food and Drug Administration
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FDA/Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Last Updated: June 19, 200108 Sep 2006 13:13:16 -0400
Originator: OTCOM/DLIS
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