9 mins read

Overview: 1,4-butanediol is a recreational drug that may be used to feel “high” and increase sex drive. It is also known as a “date-rape drug” because it can make someone more passive, open to suggestion, and lose their memories. Common side effects include decreased alertness or coordination, confusion, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, memory loss, and wetting the bed. Serious side effects include dependence and withdrawal, hallucinations, changes in behavior, seizures, and breathing problems. If you are concerned that you were given 1,4-butanediol without your knowledge, seek medical help right away.

Uses

What is 1,4-butanediol used for?

1,4-butanediol is used recreationally to feel “high” or to increase sex drive.

It is also sometimes used as an alternative to gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). GHB and 1,4-butanediol are considered “date-rape drugs” because they may be given to other people to make them more passive, open to suggestion, and unable to remember what took place (amnesia).

Note: Learn more about the regulatory status of 1,4-butanediol here. The FDA has not reviewed 1,4-butanediol for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does 1,4-butanediol work (mechanism of action)?

1,4-butanediol is commonly available as an industrial chemical. When you take this chemical by mouth, your body can turn it into gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), which is a type of chemical known as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. GHB works by slowing down the messages that are sent by your brain, relaxing your muscles, and bringing on a feeling of calm. It can also cause an intense feeling of excitement or happiness (euphoria) for a short time.

As a street drug, 1,4-butanediol is most commonly used to cause a “high” or a sense of calm. It may also be used to increase sex drive. But it can cause serious health problems, including dependence, withdrawal, breathing problems, hallucinations, changes in behavior, seizures, coma, and death. See the Side Effects section for more information.

1,4-butanediol is sometimes used as a “date-rape drug,” meaning it is given to other people without their knowledge to make them more passive, open to suggestion, and unable to remember what took place (amnesia). If you are concerned that someone gave you a date-rape drug or that you were sexually abused or assaulted, seek medical help right away.

How should I store 1,4-butanediol?

You should store 1,4-butanediol according to the product label. Most drugs should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of 1,4-butanediol?

The most common side effects of 1,4-butanediol are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • An intense feeling of happiness (euphoria)
  • Confusion
  • Sleepiness
  • Decreased appetite
  • Memory loss (see below)
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Wetting the bed

There may be other side effects of 1,4-butanediol that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of 1,4-butanediol?

While less common, the most serious side effects of 1,4-butanediol are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. 1,4-Butanediol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking 1,4-butanediol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin calledhives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Decreased Alertness or Coordination. 1,4-butanediol turns into another chemical, called GHB, inside the body. GHB can affect your alertness or coordination within 5-20 minutes of taking a single dose. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination for at least six hours after taking 1,4-butanediol.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Depression. 1,4-butanediol turns into another chemical, called GHB, inside the body. GHB may slow down your CNS, which controls many vital functions in your body. These effects can worsen if you drink alcohol or take certain medicines with 1,4-butanediol. Higher doses can also lead to serious problems, such as coma and death. Since 1,4-butanediol is a street drug, it is not always possible to know what dose you are getting. You may take too much 1,4-butanediol even if you think you are taking the same amount as before. Seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms of CNS depression.

  • Confusion
  • Excessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake
  • Memory problems
  • Slow or shallow breathing
  • Slowed response or reaction time
  • Slurred speech
  • Fainting or loss of consciousness

Breathing Problems. 1,4-butanediol turns into another chemical, called GHB, inside the body. GHB may cause slow or shallow breathing, especially if you have breathing problems from a medical condition or take medicines that can slow your breathing. It can also cause sleep apnea, which is when your breathing stops and starts while you are asleep. Get emergency help if you or someone you know has any of the following symptoms.

  • Changes in the color of your skin, including bluish color to your lips and fingernails
  • Confusion
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded or fainting
  • Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding, or skipping heartbeat
  • Slow or shallow breathing
  • Excessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake

Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions. Some people who use 1,4-butanediol may develop physical dependence, which means your body comes to rely on it. This risk is higher in people who use 1,4-butanediol regularly. If you stop 1,4-butanediol suddenly, it could lead to withdrawal symptoms. Your health care provider may be able to help you stop 1,4-butanediol in a way that will reduce the risk of having withdrawal reactions. Speak with your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of withdrawal.

  • Headaches
  • Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
  • Irritability, anger, or aggression
  • Nervousness or anxiety
  • Sleep problems or restlessness
  • Tremors
  • Fast heartbeat or high blood pressure
  • Depression or low mood

Hallucinations or Behavior Changes. 1,4-butanediol turns into another chemical, called GHB, inside the body. GHB may cause hallucinations or behavior changes. This risk may be higher in people who also use other street drugs. Seek medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms or have been told by others you have these symptoms.

  • Hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or otherwise perceiving things that others do not
  • Delusional thoughts, such as false beliefs that you are being controlled
  • Disorganized thoughts, such as jumping between topics or having a hard time focusing
  • Aggressive or agitated behavior
  • Disconnecting from reality (psychosis)
  • Feeling paranoid
  • Other changes in behavior or mood, such as feeling guilty or worthless

Memory Loss and Sleepwalking. 1,4-butanediol turns into another chemical, called GHB, inside the body. GHB may cause amnesia, meaning that you may forget the things that happened while you were taking 1,4-butanediol. It may also cause you to do activities you are not aware of while you are not fully awake, such as sleepwalking. These activities may cause harm to you and others. Seek medical help right away if you are concerned that you may have been given 1,4-butanediol without your knowledge.

Seizures. 1,4-butanediol turns into another chemical, called GHB, inside the body. Some people who have used GHB have reported having seizures. There are many types of seizures, and some of them are not easy to recognize. Get medical help if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use 1,4-butanediol?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take 1,4-butanediol.

  • 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD)
  • Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
  • Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Ask your health care provider if you are not sure what ingredients are in a 1,4-butanediol product.

Alcohol Use. You should not take 1,4-butanediol if you drink alcohol. See the Interactions section for more details.

Drug Interactions. 1,4-butanediol should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking 1,4-butanediol, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Succinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency. You should not take 1,4-butanediol if you have this rare condition. People with this condition are not able to break down 1,4-butanediol.

What should I know about 1,4-butanediol before using it?

The FDA considers 1,4-butanediol to be an unapproved drug, which means it cannot be legally sold as a dietary supplement. However, 1,4-butanediol products may still be available for purchase in many places. These products are not regulated and have not been tested to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels.

1,4-butanediol turns into another chemical, called GHB, inside the body. GHB is a controlled substance in the U.S. because it can be misused or lead to dependence.

Store 1,4-butanediol in a safe place, out of the reach of children.

The FDA has not tested 1,4-butanediol products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using 1,4-butanediol?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Also tell them if you have an upcoming surgery. Sharing this information will help your health care provider know if this or other supplements are right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • History of misusing prescription medicines or street drugs
  • Drink large amounts of alcohol
  • Lung or breathing problems 
  • Mental health problems, such as depression, a past suicide attempt, anxiety, hallucinations, paranoia, or psychosis
  • Aggressive behavior or agitation
  • Kidney or liver problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how 1,4-butanediol could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. 1,4-butanediol passes into breast milk and may cause harm to your baby. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does 1,4-butanediol interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between 1,4-butanediol and foods or drinks.

Alcohol can increase the effects of 1,4-butanediol. The risk of serious side effects, including coma and death, may also be increased if you drink alcohol while taking 1,4-butanediol.

Does 1,4-butanediol interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking 1,4-butanediol.

  • Any medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, or medicines for anxiety
  • A barbiturate, such as butalbital, phenobarbital, or primidone, which is a medicine that may be used to treat insomnia, migraine, or seizures
  • A benzodiazepine, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium and others), or lorazepam (Ativan and others), which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures
  • An opioid, such as codeine, fentanyl, morphine, or oxycodone, which is a medicine used to treat certain types of pain
  • A muscle relaxant, such as carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, or tizanidine (Zanaflex)
  • Any other street drug, such as GHB, cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine
  • Sodium oxybate (Lumryz, Xyrem), which is a medicine used to treat narcolepsy

The interactions between 1,4-butanediol and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with 1,4-butanediol is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking 1,4-butanediol with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much 1,4-butanediol?

If you or someone else has used too much 1,4-butanediol, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

1,4-butanediol is a chemical that is known to cause serious side effects and health problems. It is best to avoid the use of 1,4-butanediol completely.