IOAD Overdose Factsheet: GHB - Penington Institute
This fact sheet has been developed to support the community to know the signs of an overdose and to appropriately respond to an overdose in which depressants are involved.
www.penington.org.auHere’s the latest publicly available overview on GHB overdose treatment and related developments.
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GHB overdose treatments today largely rely on supportive care. The mainstays are airway management, breath support, monitoring, and treating complications as they arise; there is no widely approved antidote in standard clinical practice yet. This approach has been consistent in reviews and clinical summaries over the past few years.[2][8][9]
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Research into potential antidotes has explored several strategies, including blocking GHB transport to the brain and antagonizing GABA-B receptor effects. Some animal and early-stage studies suggest compounds that reduce brain GHB uptake or counteract GABA-B–mediated toxicity may mitigate respiratory depression, but none have completed sufficient clinical testing for routine use.[1][5][2]
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In practice, harm-reduction sources emphasize fast recognition of overdose signs (e.g., drowsiness, confusion, slowed breathing) and quick emergency response, including calling emergency services and avoiding further depressants like alcohol. Community resources and overdose factsheets typically outline steps for caregivers and bystanders.[4][5]
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Regional and international reporting in early 2025–2026 indicates ongoing attention to GHB-related harms, including rising hospitalizations in some countries and calls for improved public awareness and surveillance. Public health outlets note that the balance between effective clinical management and reducing misuse remains a priority, with updates often focusing on prevention and rapid response rather than a new, widely available antidote.[3][6][7]
If you’d like, I can narrow this to: (a) what emergency responders in Dallas/Austin are currently advising, (b) any U.S. clinical trials or recent peer-reviewed studies on GHB antidotes, or (c) up-to-date harm-reduction resources for people at risk of GHB exposure. I can also pull summarized, citable excerpts from the most relevant sources.