Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) + Buspirone
Buspirone brand name: BuSpar.
We found no known interaction between Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Buspirone in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.
Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Buspirone
We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.
No Known Interaction Found
We did not find a documented interaction between Buspirone and Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.
If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.
Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) safety at a glance
Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.
Why No Interaction Is Listed for Buspirone
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Buspirone is filed under 5 classifications — including serotonergic drugs, serotonergic drugs, cytochrome p450 3a4 (cyp3a4) substrates. Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) has documented interactions with 10 drug classes — the most serious being alcohol (ethanol) (moderate), amphetamines (moderate) and anticonvulsants (moderate) — and none of Buspirone’s classifications are among them.
Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.
Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) Does Interact With Other Medications
Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) has 271 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Buspirone isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)
We haven’t checked that one against Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl). Pick one to open its full report.
Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
When used orally; avoid using.
DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center
What Buspirone Is Prescribed For, and What Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) Has Been Studied For
These two come up together because they touch the same health topic — not because they do the same job. Buspirone is a prescription medicine with approved uses on its FDA label. Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) is a supplement: what follows is what researchers have looked at it for, and how strong that evidence is.
Buspirone is prescribed for: Buspirone tablets and capsules are used to manage anxiety disorders or to relieve anxiety symptoms in the short term. Its effectiveness has been shown in clinical trials focused on Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) — a condition marked by persistent, hard-to-control worry along with physical symptoms like muscle tension, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and sleep problems. Buspirone has also been shown to relieve anxiety in people who have mild depressive symptoms alongside their anxiety. Everyday stress and tension, on their own, generally do not require treatment with a medicine like buspirone.
Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) has been studied for:
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Stress studied, not established Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows
Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) for stress
Although there has been interest in using oral GBL for stress, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of GBL for this purpose.
Effectiveness ratings and the research summaries above are the verbatim record from the Natural Medicines database, which grades evidence from “Effective” down to “Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate”. A rating below the top of that scale means researchers have looked at it — not that it works, and never that it can stand in for a prescribed medicine. Do not stop or replace Buspirone on your own; if you are taking Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.
Questions About Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) or Buspirone
These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) or Buspirone, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:
- How Long Does Buspirone Stay in Your System? ›
- Questions About Combining Hydroxyzine And Buspirone ›
- Does Buspar (Buspirone) Work Right Away? ›
Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Buspirone
This page covers Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Buspirone page lists 155 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.
The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), Lithium (major), St. John's Wort (major) and 5-htp (moderate).
By severity: 4 major · 108 moderate · 43 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Buspirone page
“I counsel genuine caution when supplements meet buspirone (BuSpar), the anxiety medication, because four of its 155 documented interactions are rated major. The bulk of the list, 121 ingredients, changes how your liver clears buspirone through the CYP3A4 enzyme, pushing its level up toward dizziness and drowsiness or down until the anx…”
Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026
Where Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Buspirone Sit Against Everything Else
Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.
#1,440 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#51 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days
Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.
Where does our data come from?
- Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
- Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) reference on this page ↓
- Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Buspirone records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
- What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
About Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)
What is Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)?
- Recreational intoxication and euphoria
- Relaxation and sedation
- Sleep aid (misused)
- Bodybuilding/muscle building claims (unproven)
- Industrial solvent and cleaner
Gamma butyrolactone (GBL) is a toxic industrial solvent, not a dietary supplement, and the body converts it into GHB, a powerful and dangerous sedative. It is illegal to sell or possess for human use in the United States, has no proven medical or supplemental benefit, and can cause coma, seizures, and death. Do not take GBL — if you are seeking help for sleep, anxiety, or substance use, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
Not applicable (synthetic industrial chemical) · Liquid (illicitly sold); used industrially as a solvent
An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) record says about it on its own.
Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl): dosing
There is no safe or recommended dose of GBL. It is not a supplement, it is illegal to sell for human use, and any amount can be dangerous because it converts into the potent sedative GHB.No pharmacist or doctor should recommend taking GBL.
From our Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.
About Buspirone
What Is Buspirone Used For?
Brand name: BuSpar
Buspirone tablets and capsules are used to manage anxiety disorders or to relieve anxiety symptoms in the short term. Its effectiveness has been shown in clinical trials focused on Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) — a condition marked by persistent, hard-to-control worry along with physical symptoms like muscle tension, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and sleep problems.
Buspirone has also been shown to relieve anxiety in people who have mild depressive symptoms alongside their anxiety. Everyday stress and tension, on their own, generally do not require treatment with a medicine like buspirone.
Other Drugs & Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
271 interactions
- Diphenhydramine ›
- Flurazepam ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Oxycodone ›
- Phenytoin ›
- Temazepam ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Morphine Sulfate ›
- Nitrazepam ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Diazepam ›
- Lofepramine ›
- Meprobamate ›
- Oxymorphone ›
- Propoxyphene ›
- Topiramate ›
- Aripiprazole ›
- Cetirizine ›
- Clobazam ›
- Clonazepam ›
- Clorazepate ›
- Desipramine ›
- Doxepin ›
- Hydromorphone ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Metoclopramide ›
- Midazolam ›
- Naloxone ›
- Phenobarbital ›
- Tramadol ›
- Valproic Acid ›
- Zolpidem ›
- Acetazolamide ›
- Alprazolam ›
- Amphetamine Sulfate ›
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil ›
- Buprenorphine Hydrochloride ›
- Butabarbital Sodium ›
- Chlorpromazine ›
- Dexmedetomidine ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Hexobarbital ›
- Hydrocodone ›
- Hydrocodone Bitartrate ›
- Lithium Carbonate (prescription Drug) ›
- Loxapine ›
- Magnesium Sulfate (prescription Drug) ›
- Meperidine ›
- Naloxone Hydrochloride ›
- Oxcarbazepine ›
- Oxycodone Hydrochloride ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Saquinavir ›
- Tasimelteon ›
- Zaleplon ›
- Zonisamide ›
- Acepromazine ›
Showing 60 of 271 moderate interactions — see all 271 on the Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) page.
No interaction 2,558 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Apixaban ›
- Levothyroxine ›
- Amlodipine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Warfarin ›
- Sertraline ›
- Testosterone ›
- Losartan Potassium ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Metoprolol ›
- Aspirin ›
- Rivaroxaban ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Tadalafil ›
- Abemaciclib ›
- Clopidogrel ›
- Atorvastatin ›
- Docusate ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Warfarin Sodium ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Prednisone ›
- Propranolol ›
- Metformin ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Bupropion ›
- Bendamustine ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Fluoxetine ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Amlodipine Besylate ›
- Omeprazole ›
- Quetiapine ›
- Letrozole ›
- Duloxetine ›
- Naproxen ›
- Citalopram ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Bisoprolol ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Dapsone ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Roxithromycin ›
- Mannitol ›
- Atorvastatin Calcium ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Finasteride ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,558 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) list.
Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) References
The 28 references that drive our Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.
- Soderling E, Le Bell A, Kirstila V, Tenovuo J. Betaine-containing toothpaste relieves subjective symptoms of dry mouth. Acta Odontol Scand 1998;56:65-9.
- LoVecchio F, Curry SC, Bagnasco T. Butyrolactone-induced central nervous system depression after ingestion of RenewTrient, a dietary supplement. N Engl J Med 1998;339:847-8.
- FDA. FDA warns about products containing gamma butyrolactone or GBL and asks companies to issue a recall. Talk Paper, 21 January 1999.
- Anon. Adverse events associated with ingestion of gamma-butyrolactone--Minnesota, New Mexico, and Texas, 1998-1999. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1999;48:137-40.
- Harrington RD, Woodward JA, Hooton TM, et al. Life-threatening interactions between HIV-1 protease inhibitors and the illicit drugs MDMA and gamma-hydroxybutyrate. Arch Intern Med 1999;159:2221-4.
- Anon. FDA alert on misuse of consumer products containing GHB, GBL and BD. Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD. June 15, 1999.
- Anon. Important message for health professionals: Report serious adverse events associated with dietary supplements containing GBL, GHB or BD. Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD. August 25, 1999. Available at: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/mwg
- Anon. Multistate outbreak of poisonings associated with illicit use of gamma hydroxy butyrate. JAMA 1991;265:447-8. DOI
- Carotenuto A, De Feo V, Fattorusso E, et al. The flavonoids of Allium ursinum. Phytochem 1996;41:531-6. PubMed
- FDA Talk Paper. FDA Warns About GBL-Related Products. 1999. Available at: vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpgbl2.html
- Ferrara SD, Tedeschi L, Frison G, Rossi A. Fatality due to gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and heroin intoxication. J Forensic Sci 1995;40:501-4. DOI
- Schneir AB, Ly BT, Clark RF. A case of withdrawal from the GHB precursors gamma-butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol. J Emerg Med 2001;21:31-3.. PubMed
- Sivilotti ML, Burns MJ, Aaron CK, Greenberg MJ. Pentobarbital for severe gamma-butyrolactone withdrawal. Ann Emerg Med 2001;38:660-5.. PubMed
- Bosch OG, Eisenegger C, Gertsch J, et al. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate enhances mood and prosocial behavior without affecting plasma oxytocin and testosterone. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2015 Dec;62:1-10. PubMed
- Thai D, Dyer JE, Benowitz NL, Haller CA. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate and ethanol effects and interactions in humans. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2006 Oct;26(5):524-9. PubMed
- Weiss T, Müller D, Marti I, Happold C, Russmann S. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and topiramate--clinically relevant drug interaction suggested by a case of coma and increased plasma GHB concentration. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2013 May;69(5):1193-4. PubMed
- Bhattacharya IS, Watson F, Bruce M. A case of ?-butyrolactone associated with severe withdrawal delirium and acute renal failure. Eur Addict Res 2011;17(4):169-71. PubMed
- Corkery JM, Loi B, Claridge H, et al. Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD; BDO): A literature review with a focus on UK fatalities related to non-medical use. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015;53:52-78. PubMed
- Dargan PI, Button J, Davies S, et al. The first reported UK fatality related to gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) ingestion. J R Soc Med 2009;102(12):546-7.
- Eiden C, Capdevielle D, Deddouche C, et al. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome-like reaction precipitated by antipsychotics in a patient with gamma-butyrolactone withdrawal. J Addict Med 2011;5(4):302-3. PubMed
- Heytens L, Neels H, Van Regenmortel N, et al. Near-fatal persistent anion- and osmolal-gap acidosis due to massive gamma-butyrolactone/ethanol intoxication. Ann Clin Biochem 2015;52(Pt 2):283-7. PubMed
- Roberts DM, Smith MW, Gopalakrishnan M, et al. Extreme ?-butyrolactone overdose with severe metabolic acidosis requiring hemodialysis. Ann Emerg Med 2011;58(1):83-5. PubMed
- van Gerwen M, Scheper H, Touw DJ, van Nieuwkoop C. Life-threatening acute lung injury after gamma butyrolactone ingestion. Neth J Med 2015;73(3):133-5.
- Zepf FD, Holtmann M, Duketis E, et al. A 16-year-old boy with severe gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) withdrawal delirium. Pharmacopsychiatry 2009;42(5):202-3. PubMed
- Product information for Xyrem. Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Palo Alto, CA. March 2022.
- Delic M. Inpatient management of GHB/GBL withdrawal. Psychiatr Danub. 2019 Sep;31(Suppl 3):354-356.
- van Helmond LPFM, Gresnigt FMJ. Safety of withholding intubation in gamma-hydroxybutyrate- and gamma-butyrolactone-intoxicated coma patients in the emergency department. Eur J Emerg Med. 2020 Jun;27(3):223-227. PubMed
- Delcourt N, Lanot T, Vardon-Bounes F, Gandia P, Franchitto N. Severe metabolic failures after recreational ingestion of ?-butyrolactone. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2020 Nov/Dec;40(6):624-626. PubMed
Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Taking Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Buspirone Together: Common Questions
Is it safe to take Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) with Buspirone?
Do Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Buspirone have any of the same side effects?
Are Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Buspirone used for the same thing?
How was the Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Buspirone combination checked?
Does Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) interact with any other medications?
Does Buspirone interact with any supplements?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
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