Drug & supplement interaction

Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) + Levodopa

Levodopa brand names: Larodopa, Inbrija.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Levodopa 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.

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Interaction report

Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Levodopa

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 Levodopa 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

Gamma Butyrolacton... overall Avoid GBL is a toxic, illegal substance that can cause coma and death; it should never be consumed.
Pregnancy Unsafe When used orally; avoid using. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Unsafe When used orally; avoid using. Read the full breastfeeding detail

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.

Still wondering about combining Levodopa and Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Levodopa

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Levodopa is filed under 5 classifications — including dopamine agonists, seizure threshold lowering drugs, oral drugs. 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 Levodopa’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.

Keep it in perspective

Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) Does Interact With Other Medications

Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) has 271 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Levodopa isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl). Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Levodopa May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. 3 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Hallucinations / Confusion Worth acting on Additional detail

    Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)

    “Orally, GBL can cause mental changes, such as agitation, combativeness, and amnesia.

    Withdrawal symptoms have been reported in people who ingest diluted products containing almost pure GBL every few hours. Withdrawal symptoms can start within 2-72 hours and can last up to 15 days.”

    Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anxiety.

    6 sources cited
    1. 665. 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.
    2. 682. FDA. FDA warns about products containing gamma butyrolactone or GBL and asks companies to issue a recall. Talk Paper, 21 January 1999.
    3. 1430. 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.
    4. 95118. 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
    5. 95129. 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
    6. 10375. 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

    Levodopa

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Levodopa. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • A higher chance of infection Worth acting on Additional detail

    Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)

    “Orally, GBL can cause slow breathing and respiratory depression resulting in cyanosis, apnea, and hypoxia, possibly requiring intubation. In one case report, a 44-year-old female developed acute lung injury, or chemical pneumonitis, with bilateral alveolar inflammatory consolidations after chronic ingestion of GBL. Infectious sources were ruled out.”

    Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in depression.

    6 sources cited
    1. 665. 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.
    2. 682. FDA. FDA warns about products containing gamma butyrolactone or GBL and asks companies to issue a recall. Talk Paper, 21 January 1999.
    3. 1430. 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.
    4. 4259. FDA Talk Paper. FDA Warns About GBL-Related Products. 1999. Available at: vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpgbl2.html
    5. 95118. 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
    6. 95127. 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

    Levodopa

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Levodopa. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Low blood pressure Additional detail

    Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)

    “Orally, GBL can cause bradycardia, hypotension, tachycardia, and cardiac arrest.

    Consistent use of GBL followed by abrupt discontinuation is associated with withdrawal symptoms, including tachycardia and hypertension.”

    Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cardiac arrest.

    6 sources cited
    1. 665. 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.
    2. 682. FDA. FDA warns about products containing gamma butyrolactone or GBL and asks companies to issue a recall. Talk Paper, 21 January 1999.
    3. 1430. 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.
    4. 95127. 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
    5. 95128. 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.
    6. 95130. 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

    Levodopa

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Levodopa. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Trouble sleeping Additional detail

    Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)

    “Orally, GBL can cause fainting, seizures, and severe central nervous system depression. In many cases, unconsciousness or coma have been reported.

    Withdrawal symptoms have been reported in people who ingest diluted products containing almost pure GBL every few hours. Withdrawal symptoms can start within 2-72 hours and can last for up to 15 days.”

    Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in depression.

    6 sources cited
    1. 665. 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.
    2. 682. FDA. FDA warns about products containing gamma butyrolactone or GBL and asks companies to issue a recall. Talk Paper, 21 January 1999.
    3. 1430. 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.
    4. 93819. 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
    5. 95127. 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
    6. 95129. 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

    Levodopa

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Levodopa. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Vomiting / Nausea Additional detail

    Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)

    “Orally, GBL can cause bowel incontinence and vomiting.

    Consistent use of GBL followed by abrupt discontinuation is associated with withdrawal symptoms, including nausea and vomiting.”

    Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in nausea and vomiting.

    6 sources cited
    1. 665. 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.
    2. 682. FDA. FDA warns about products containing gamma butyrolactone or GBL and asks companies to issue a recall. Talk Paper, 21 January 1999.
    3. 1430. 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.
    4. 93819. 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
    5. 95130. 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
    6. 95118. 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

    Levodopa

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Levodopa. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) but not commonly for Levodopa: dependence or withdrawal symptoms, kidney problems, sweating and severe muscle breakdown.

Effects for Levodopa come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Unsafe

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Levodopa

This page covers Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Levodopa page lists 41 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Branched-chain Amino Acids (bcaa) (major), Cowhage (major), Indian Snakeroot (major) and Magnesium (major).

By severity: 8 major · 22 moderate · 11 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Levodopa page

“Parkinson symptoms return fast when levodopa (Larodopa, Inbrija) stops reaching the brain, and most of the 41 supplements on this page can make that happen, so treat these combinations with genuine care. Protein and amino acid supplements compete with levodopa for transport into the brain, while everyday minerals like magnesium and iro…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Levodopa interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Levodopa 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.

Supplement Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)
Steady interest

#1,208 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Levodopa
Top 25%

#317 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

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 Levodopa 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.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)

What is Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)?

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.

Read the full Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Levodopa Oral Inhalation

What Is Levodopa Oral Inhalation Used For?

Brand names: Larodopa, Inbrija

Inbrija is used to treat OFF episodes in adults with Parkinson's disease. An OFF episode is when your regular oral carbidopa/levodopa medication temporarily stops working well enough, causing Parkinson's symptoms — such as stiffness, slowness, or tremor — to return.

Inbrija is used as needed when OFF symptoms start to come back. It is not a replacement for your regular oral carbidopa/levodopa; it works alongside it.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Levodopa

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (0 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Fall 5,276 reports
Hallucination 4,813 reports
Tremor 3,805 reports
Dyskinesia 3,626 reports
Parkinson^s disease 3,449 reports
See full Levodopa Oral Inhalation drug information
Keep checking

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.

0Major
271Moderate
0Minor
2,558No known interaction
Moderate

271 interactions

Showing 60 of 271 moderate interactions — see all 271 on the Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) page.

No interaction 2,558 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. FDA. FDA warns about products containing gamma butyrolactone or GBL and asks companies to issue a recall. Talk Paper, 21 January 1999.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Anon. FDA alert on misuse of consumer products containing GHB, GBL and BD. Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD. June 15, 1999.
  7. 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
  8. Anon. Multistate outbreak of poisonings associated with illicit use of gamma hydroxy butyrate. JAMA 1991;265:447-8. DOI
  9. Carotenuto A, De Feo V, Fattorusso E, et al. The flavonoids of Allium ursinum. Phytochem 1996;41:531-6. PubMed
  10. FDA Talk Paper. FDA Warns About GBL-Related Products. 1999. Available at: vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpgbl2.html
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. Sivilotti ML, Burns MJ, Aaron CK, Greenberg MJ. Pentobarbital for severe gamma-butyrolactone withdrawal. Ann Emerg Med 2001;38:660-5.. PubMed
  14. 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
  15. 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

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.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Levodopa Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) with Levodopa?
We do not list a known interaction between Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Levodopa. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Levodopa have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 7 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
How was the Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) and Levodopa combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Levodopa is filed under 5 classifications, and Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) has documented interactions with 10 drug classes — none of Levodopa's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) interact with any other medications?
Yes. Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) has 271 documented drug interactions in our database — Levodopa is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Levodopa interact with any supplements?
Yes. Levodopa has documented interactions with 41 supplements in our database — Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl) is not one of them. The Levodopa interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Levodopa and Gamma Butyrolactone (gbl)?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.