• Neurotoxic

• Metabolism: Gamma-Butyrolactone undergoes rapid and quantitative conversion by lactonases, yielding gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (A627).
• Uses/Sources: Common solvent and reagent in chemistry and is used as an aroma compound, as a stain remover, as a superglue remover, as a paint stripper, and as a solvent in some wet aluminium electrolytic capacitors (L1140).
• Health Effects: CNS depression; amnesia and hypotonia. Rarely, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, apnea, dyskinesias, dystonias, and hypomania occur.
• Symptoms: Headache, confusion, ataxia, urinary incontinence or urgency, difficulty breathing, bradycardia, uncontrollable shaking, hallucinations, seizure-like activity (uncontrollable or unusual movements), and acidosis. Hypothermia has been reported in adults and children following exposure (T36).
• Treatment: In case of oral exposure, administer a benzodiazepine IV. There is no antidote. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. (T36)
• Route of Exposure: Inhalation (A626) ; oral (A626) ; injection (A626) ; dermal (A626).

• Carcinogenicity: 3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. (L135)
• Toxicity: LD50: 17.2 mL/kg (Oral, Rat) (581)

Gamma-butyrolactone is rapidly converted to gamma-hydroxybutyrate. This may account for the subsequent central nervous system depressant. Gamma-butyrolactone is an anesthetic that causes a selective increase in brain dopamine by antagonizing transmitter release from nerve terminal. It is also an endogenous brain metabolite that may be derived from glutamate through gamma-aminobutyrate. GBL binds to the picrotoxin receptor (A566, A318).