Gamma-hydroxybutyrate compositions containing carbohydrate, lipid or amino acid carriers

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions comprising at least one GHB moiety bonded to at least one physiologically compatible carrier molecule. The compositions can enhance the uptake of the drug, deliver effective therapeutic doses in a time-delayed fashion, or can target specific organs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compound of the formula (II):
   (R 1 O(CH 2 ) 3 CO 2 ) m (ROC(O)(CH 2 ) 3 OC(O)) q —(X)—(Y) n —(Z) n —(CO 2 (CH 2 ) 3 CO 2 R) p (O 2 C(CH 2 ) 3 OR′) k   (II)
   wherein R′ is H or a hydroxyl-protecting group, R is H, (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl or benzyl, X and Z are each residues of a hydroxy group-containing amino acid or a bis(carboxy)amino acid, Y is a moiety covalently linking X and Z, n is 0-1, m and k are 0 to the number of available hydroxy groups on the amino acids X and Z; q and p are 0 to the number of available CO 2  groups on amino acids X and Z, with the proviso that both m and q and both p and k are not zero, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.