What toxic substance sometimes found in nail polish remover may cause coma?
While acetone is commonly found in nail polish remover, Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) has also been found in nail polish remover and reported to cause CNS depression in small children taking exploratory ingestions. While GBL itself is not pharmacologically active, GBL is a prodrug for gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), which causes CNS depression via GABA-B agonism.
Olives TD, Cole JB. An acutely altered toddler. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2014 Mar; 30(3): 203-6.
Contributed by: J Cole, MD
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