On the time the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) approved the date rape drug GHB for narcolepsy and forget to include a sedation warning label

Look, I was perfectly okay with the date rape drug GHB laying low until things blew over, then returning under the name sodium oxybate (Xyreme) hoping nobody would recognise it… I just felt that when the TGA committee approved the drug once dubbed ‘Grevious Bodily Harm’ and known to render its users unconscious, they should’ve at least added a sedation label warning.

The following is a true story about how Therapeutc Goods Administration (TGA) approved the ‘date rape drug’ GHB for therapeutic use in narcolepsy and omitted to include a sedation warning label. In case you’re wondering, I fully endorse the therapeutic use of said date rape drug. The problem I have is the sneaky way TGA went about concealing their stupidity. Ironically, the attempt to conceal their stupidity only make their stupidity glaringly obvious.

GHB aka Grievous Bodily Harm

A number of years ago there was a recreational drug floating around called GHB (γ-hydroxybutyrate).

Actually, it’s been around for quite some time. It was first invented in 1920 and saw limited use in anaesthesia in the 60s. In the 1980s it began to appear in health food stores in the US and became popular among bodybuilders because it stimulates human growth hormone.

Overlapping this and, GHB found itself in the club scene, where users. Just why it ever became popular is a mystery to me, but my impression is that it. It went by the name Liquid E. Anyway, as use of GHB grew in, as did the body count. There was.

To understand just why that is, we need to some in pharmacology. Along the way, I will also suggest some basic concepts regarding harm minimisation.

Steep dose-response curve

A moderate dose of GHB is 4 ml. However, at slightly higher doses, doses. ‘Therapeutic index’ of a drug refers to. A moderate dose of GHB.

Individual differences

Not only does GHB have a steep dose-response curve, but owing to individual differences and for reasons unknown, a

Combining with other drugs

There are a there are a few drug combinations that are highly dangerous. One mixing two depressants.

Association with drink spiking and date rape

GHB is colourless. There were a number of high profile cases of it being to rape women. As a consequence of this. The irony of this of course, is that the number one is alcohol.

Therapeutic Goods Administration

Having now examined the of GHB, let’s now on the TGA. Therapeutic Goods Administration is the that oversees the of drugs. They’re essentially the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration. The is to regulate.

Now, when it comes, there’s something called the Poison’s standard.

Poison’s standard

The Poison’s standard is that. Here are the different classifications. The key to understanding the poisons standard is from Paracelsus. Essentially, is that. For instance, is a common you can. However, chronic use of that and you. Here is a list of the different drug schedules,.

The Poison’s standard is that. Here are the different classifications. The key to understanding the poisons standard is from Paracelsus. Essentially, is that. For instance, is a common you can. However, chronic use of that and you. Here is a list of the different drug schedules,.