Drug & supplement interaction

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) + Interferon Beta-1a

Interferon Beta-1a brand names: Rebif, Avonex.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 20, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) and Interferon Beta-1a 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.

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Interaction report

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) and Interferon Beta-1a

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 Interferon Beta-1a and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) 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-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) safety at a glance

Gamma-hydroxybutyr... overall Avoid GHB is a controlled substance with a high risk of overdose, coma, and death; it is not a safe supplement.
Pregnancy Unsafe When used orally. GHB has been associated with life-threatening toxicities. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Unsafe When used orally. GHB has been associated with life-threatening toxicities. 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 Interferon Beta-1a and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb)? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Interferon Beta-1a

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Interferon Beta-1a is filed under 2 classifications — photosensitizing drugs, hepatotoxic drugs. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) has documented interactions with 10 drug classes — the most serious being alcohol (ethanol) (major), cns depressants (major) and divalprox sodium (depakote) (major) — and none of Interferon Beta-1a’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-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) Does Interact With Other Medications

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) has 249 major, 21 moderate, 5 minor known drug interactions in our database — Interferon Beta-1a isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 249 Moderate 21 Minor 5 No known interaction 2,555 (incl. Interferon Beta-1a)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb)

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

What to actually watch for

What Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) Itself Has Been Linked To

This is not an interaction — nothing below involves Interferon Beta-1a. It is the side-effect record for Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) on its own, from the licensed Natural Medicines monograph. If something new turns up after you add Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb), this list is the first place to look. 5 entries are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Severe muscle breakdown Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally, GHB can cause numbing of the legs and eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. In people who are dependent on GHB, withdrawal has been associated with rhabdomyolysis.”

    Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in muscle breakdown.

    3 sources cited
    1. 6016. Timby N, Eriksson A. Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate-Associated Deaths. Am J Med 2000;108:518. PubMed
    2. 10658. Mason P, Kerns II W. Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) Intoxication. Acad Emerg Med 2002;9:730-39.. DOI
    3. 93823. Kuiper MA, Peikert N, Boerma EC. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate withdrawal syndrome: a case report. Cases J. 2009 Mar 25;2:6530. DOI
  • Memory problems / Hallucinations / Confusion Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally, GHB can cause confusion, hallucinations, agitation, and amnesia. In people who are dependent on GHB, withdrawal can cause auditory and visual hallucinations, anxiety, delirium, panic, psychoses, and terror.”

    Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anxiety.

    6 sources cited
    1. 6016. Timby N, Eriksson A. Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate-Associated Deaths. Am J Med 2000;108:518. PubMed
    2. 10658. Mason P, Kerns II W. Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) Intoxication. Acad Emerg Med 2002;9:730-39.. DOI
    3. 93823. Kuiper MA, Peikert N, Boerma EC. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate withdrawal syndrome: a case report. Cases J. 2009 Mar 25;2:6530. DOI
    4. 93824. Leone MA, Vigna-Taglianti F, Avanzi G, Brambilla R, Faggiano F. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) for treatment of alcohol withdrawal and prevention of relapses. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Feb 17;(2):CD006266. PubMed
    5. 93827. Nimmerrichter AA, Walter H, Gutierrez-Lobos KE, Lesch OM. Double-blind controlled trial of gamma-hydroxybutyrate and clomethiazole in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol Alcohol. 2002 Jan-Feb;37(1):67-73. PubMed
    6. 93830. Stomberg MW, Knudsen K, Stomberg H, Skärsäter I. Symptoms and signs in interpreting gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) intoxication - an explorative study. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2014 Apr 23;22:27. PubMed
  • Unsteadiness / Seizures Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally, GHB can cause headache, hallucinations, dizziness, confusion, amnesia, drowsiness, somnolence, tremor, and agitation. It can also cause ataxia, eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, memory loss, reduced or altered levels of consciousness, seizures, and coma.”

    Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anxiety.

    6 sources cited
    1. 6016. Timby N, Eriksson A. Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate-Associated Deaths. Am J Med 2000;108:518. PubMed
    2. 10658. Mason P, Kerns II W. Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) Intoxication. Acad Emerg Med 2002;9:730-39.. DOI
    3. 93823. Kuiper MA, Peikert N, Boerma EC. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate withdrawal syndrome: a case report. Cases J. 2009 Mar 25;2:6530. DOI
    4. 93824. Leone MA, Vigna-Taglianti F, Avanzi G, Brambilla R, Faggiano F. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) for treatment of alcohol withdrawal and prevention of relapses. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Feb 17;(2):CD006266. PubMed
    5. 93827. Nimmerrichter AA, Walter H, Gutierrez-Lobos KE, Lesch OM. Double-blind controlled trial of gamma-hydroxybutyrate and clomethiazole in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol Alcohol. 2002 Jan-Feb;37(1):67-73. PubMed
    6. 93830. Stomberg MW, Knudsen K, Stomberg H, Skärsäter I. Symptoms and signs in interpreting gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) intoxication - an explorative study. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2014 Apr 23;22:27. PubMed
  • A slow heartbeat / Chest pain Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally, GHB can cause chest tightness, bradycardia or tachycardia, and cardiac arrest. In people who are dependent on GHB, withdrawal can cause tachycardia and hypertension.”

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

    6 sources cited
    1. 6016. Timby N, Eriksson A. Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate-Associated Deaths. Am J Med 2000;108:518. PubMed
    2. 10658. Mason P, Kerns II W. Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) Intoxication. Acad Emerg Med 2002;9:730-39.. DOI
    3. 93820. Boscolo-Berto R, Viel G, Montagnese S, Raduazzo DI, Ferrara SD, Dauvilliers Y. Narcolepsy and effectiveness of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB): a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sleep Med Rev. 2012 Oct;16(5):431-43. PubMed
    4. 107794. Aronsen AC, Brekke M, Vallersnes OM. Acute poisoning with gamma-hydroxybutyrate. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 2020;140(10). PubMed
    5. 107795. Lee S, Boyce SL, Southwell J. Case of gamma-hydroxybutyrate poisoning in an infant. J Paediatr Child Health 2022;58(5):909-910. PubMed
    6. 6612. Galloway GP, Frederick SL, Staggers FE Jr, et al. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate: an emerging drug of abuse that causes physical dependence. Addiction 1997;92:89-96. DOI
  • Raised blood pressure Worth acting on Additional detail

    Recorded for Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under A slow heartbeat / Chest pain above.

  • Weight loss Additional detail

    “In pediatric patients, the sodium salt of GHB, known as sodium oxybate, can cause weight loss.

    GHB and the chemically-related products gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (BD), which are rapidly converted to GHB in the body, have been associated with at least 122 reports of serious adverse reactions.”

    Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in obesity.

    6 sources cited
    1. 102834. Product information for Xyrem. Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Palo Alto, CA. March 2022.
    2. 3680. Otto A. Acquaintance rape drug may one day help instead of hurt (news). Pharmacy Today. American Pharmaceutical Association, Washington, DC. April 2000:17.
    3. 4259. FDA Talk Paper. FDA Warns About GBL-Related Products. 1999. Available at: vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpgbl2.html
    4. 10657. Ingels M, Rangan C, Bellezzo J, Clark R. Coma and respiratory depression following the ingestion of GHB and its precursors: Three cases. J Emerg Med 2000;19:47-50.. PubMed
    5. 10658. Mason P, Kerns II W. Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) Intoxication. Acad Emerg Med 2002;9:730-39.. DOI
    6. 93823. Kuiper MA, Peikert N, Boerma EC. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate withdrawal syndrome: a case report. Cases J. 2009 Mar 25;2:6530. DOI

Showing the 10 most notable of 24 recorded effects — ranked by how unusual each one is across medicines generally, with serious effects weighted up.

Everything above comes from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record for Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) — expand a row for the licensed statement it rests on. We haven’t matched Interferon Beta-1a to its FDA label in our system yet, so we can’t compare its own side-effect list here — the leaflet that comes with your prescription is the authoritative list for Interferon Beta-1a.

Special populations

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Unsafe

When used orally. GHB has been associated with life-threatening toxicities.

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 Interferon Beta-1a

This page covers Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Interferon Beta-1a page lists 57 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Beer (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Wine (major), Alfalfa (moderate) and Angelica Archangelica (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 53 moderate · 1 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Interferon Beta-1a page

“Siberian cocklebur, an herb tied to documented cases of liver failure, is the first name to know for anyone injecting interferon beta-1a (Rebif, Avonex) for multiple sclerosis. Interferon beta-1a can strain the liver on its own, which is why prescribers order routine liver blood tests, and 38 of the 57 supplements on file carry that sa…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Interferon Beta-1a interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) and Interferon Beta-1a 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-hydroxybutyrate (ghb)
Steady interest

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

29 days ago today
Medication Interferon Beta-1a
Steady interest

#2,320 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-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) and Interferon Beta-1a 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-hydroxybutyrate (ghb)

What is Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb)?

  • Narcolepsy (cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness)
  • Sleep aid
  • Misused as a recreational 'party drug'
  • Bodybuilding/muscle building (unproven)
  • Alcohol withdrawal (in some countries)

GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is a powerful central nervous system depressant that is NOT a safe dietary supplement. In the U.S. it is a controlled substance, and only a tightly regulated prescription form (sodium oxybate) is legal for narcolepsy. Non-prescription GHB can cause coma, breathing failure, and death, and it is also a known 'date-rape' drug — it should not be taken outside of medical supervision.

Liquid solution, powder, prescription oral solution (sodium oxybate)

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) record says about it on its own.

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb): dosing

There is no safe over-the-counter or supplement dose of GHB. Because illicit products are not standardized, there is no reliable way to measure a safe amount, and small differences can cause overdose.The only legitimate use is the prescription medication sodium oxybate, which is dosed and monitored by a doctor through a special safety program. Do not attempt to use GHB on your own.

From our Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Interferon Beta-1a Intramuscular Injection

What Is Interferon Beta-1a Intramuscular Injection Used For?

Brand names: Rebif, Avonex

  • Interferon beta-1a intramuscular injection is used to treat adults with various forms of multiple sclerosis (MS; a disease in which the nerves do not function properly and people may experience weakness, numbness, loss of muscle coordination, and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control) including:

    • clinically isolated syndrome (CIS; nerve symptom episodes that last at least 24 hours),

    • relapsing-remitting forms (course of disease where symptoms flare up from time to time), or

    • secondary progressive forms (course of disease where relapses occur more often).

  • Interferon beta-1a is in a class of medications called immunomodulators. It works by decreasing inflammation and preventing nerve damage that may cause symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Interferon Beta-1a

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (192,069 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Multiple sclerosis relapse 15,851 reports
Influenza like illness 13,253 reports
Fatigue 11,554 reports
Fall 10,604 reports
Multiple sclerosis 9,358 reports
See full Interferon Beta-1a Intramuscular Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb)

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

249Major
21Moderate
5Minor
2,554No known interaction
249 Major 21 Moderate 5 Minor 2,554 No interaction
Major

249 interactions

Showing 60 of 249 major interactions — see all 249 on the Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) page.

Moderate

21 interactions

Minor

5 interactions

No interaction 2,554 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,554 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) list.

See the full Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) interactions page
See every supplement checked against Interferon Beta-1a, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) References

The 31 references that drive our Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) 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. 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.
  2. Anon. FDA alert on misuse of consumer products containing GHB, GBL and BD. Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD. June 15, 1999.
  3. 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
  4. Otto A. Acquaintance rape drug may one day help instead of hurt (news). Pharmacy Today. American Pharmaceutical Association, Washington, DC. April 2000:17.
  5. Anon. Multistate outbreak of poisonings associated with illicit use of gamma hydroxy butyrate. JAMA 1991;265:447-8. DOI
  6. Dyer JE. Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate: a health-food product producing coma and seizure-like activity (abstract). Am J Emerg Med 1991;9:321-4.
  7. FDA Talk Paper. FDA Warns About GBL-Related Products. 1999. Available at: vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpgbl2.html
  8. Timby N, Eriksson A. Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate-Associated Deaths. Am J Med 2000;108:518. PubMed
  9. Galloway GP, Frederick SL, Staggers FE Jr, et al. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate: an emerging drug of abuse that causes physical dependence. Addiction 1997;92:89-96. DOI
  10. Price G. In-patient detoxification after GHB dependence. Br J Psychiatry 2000;177:181. PubMed
  11. Dyer J, Roth B, Hyma B. Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate withdrawal syndrome. Ann Emerg Med 2001;37:147-53.. PubMed
  12. Ingels M, Rangan C, Bellezzo J, Clark R. Coma and respiratory depression following the ingestion of GHB and its precursors: Three cases. J Emerg Med 2000;19:47-50.. PubMed
  13. Mason P, Kerns II W. Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) Intoxication. Acad Emerg Med 2002;9:730-39.. DOI
  14. Abanades S, Farré M, Segura M, et al. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in humans: pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Aug;1074:559-76. PubMed
  15. Boscolo-Berto R, Viel G, Montagnese S, Raduazzo DI, Ferrara SD, Dauvilliers Y. Narcolepsy and effectiveness of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB): a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sleep Med Rev. 2012 Oct;16(5):431-43. 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-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) and Interferon Beta-1a Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) with Interferon Beta-1a?
We do not list a known interaction between Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) and Interferon Beta-1a. 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.
How was the Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) and Interferon Beta-1a combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Interferon Beta-1a is filed under 2 classifications, and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) has documented interactions with 10 drug classes — none of Interferon Beta-1a'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-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) interact with any other medications?
Yes. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) has 275 documented drug interactions in our database — Interferon Beta-1a 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 Interferon Beta-1a interact with any supplements?
Yes. Interferon Beta-1a has documented interactions with 57 supplements in our database — Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) is not one of them. The Interferon Beta-1a interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

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

Where next

Keep Exploring

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb) monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Interferon Beta-1a Intramuscular Injection drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Interferon Beta-1a supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Interferon Beta-1a, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z Every drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements References The 31 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Interferon Beta-1a and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (ghb)?

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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.