Acute Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) Intoxication Requiring Hemodialysis in Southern Brazil: A Case Report.

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant with psychoactive and anesthetic properties, increasingly implicated in recreational use and drug-facilitated crimes. Its effects are amplified when combined with alcohol, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in emergency settings due to its rapid metabolism and frequent co-ingestion with other substances. We describe two cases of severe GHB intoxication in adult male patients resulting in bradycardia, respiratory depression, and decreased level of consciousness requiring orotracheal intubation and intensive care unit (ICU) stabilization. Awareness of GHB's clinical profile is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment. Given its association with drug-facilitated sexual assault and the potential for life-threatening outcomes, healthcare professionals must maintain a high index of suspicion and initiate appropriate supportive measures promptly.