Showing chemical card for 4-hydroxybutanoate (CFc000337610)
Record Information
Version
1.0
Creation Date
Update Date
2022-09-14 05:31:30 UTC
Chemfont ID
CFc000337610
Molecule Identification
Common Name
4-hydroxybutanoate
Definition
Gamma hydroxybutyric acid, also known as 4-hydroxybutanoic acid or ghb, is a member of the class of compounds known as hydroxy fatty acids. Hydroxy fatty acids are fatty acids in which the chain bears a hydroxyl group. Gamma hydroxybutyric acid is soluble (in water) and a weakly acidic compound (based on its pKa). Gamma hydroxybutyric acid can be found in a number of food items such as cauliflower, burdock, acorn, and mountain yam, which makes gamma hydroxybutyric acid a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Gamma hydroxybutyric acid can be found primarily in blood and urine. Gamma hydroxybutyric acid is a drug which is used as a general anesthetic, to treat conditions such as insomnia, clinical depression, narcolepsy, and alcoholism, and to improve athletic performance. At higher doses, GHB may induce nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, agitation, visual disturbances, depressed breathing, amnesia, unconsciousness, and death (DrugBank).
