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Synthetic cathinones ("bath salts").
- Source :
-
The Journal of emergency medicine [J Emerg Med] 2014 May; Vol. 46 (5), pp. 632-42. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Feb 22. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Background: Synthetic cathinones are popularly referred to in the media as "bath salts." Through the direct and indirect activation of the sympathetic nervous system, smoking, snorting, or injecting synthetic cathinones can result in tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, myocardial infarction, and death.<br />Objective: The chemical structures and names of bath salts identified by the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation are presented. Based on their common pharmacophores, we review the history, pharmacology, toxicology, detection methods, and clinical implications of synthetic cathinones. Through the integration of this information, the pharmacological basis for the management of patients using synthetic cathinones is presented.<br />Discussion: Synthetic cathinones activate central serotonergic and dopaminergic systems contributing to acute psychosis and the peripheral activation of the sympathetic nervous system. The overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system contributes to the many toxicities reported with bath salt use. The pharmacological basis for managing these patients is targeted at attenuating the activation of these systems.<br />Conclusions: Treatment of patients presenting after using bath salts should be focused on reducing agitation and psychosis and supporting renal perfusion. The majority of successfully treated synthetic cathinones cases have used benzodiazepines and antipsychotics along with general supportive care.<br /> (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Alkaloids chemistry
Central Nervous System Stimulants chemistry
Designer Drugs chemistry
Humans
Alkaloids adverse effects
Central Nervous System Stimulants adverse effects
Designer Drugs adverse effects
Psychotropic Drugs adverse effects
Substance-Related Disorders diagnosis
Substance-Related Disorders therapy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0736-4679
- Volume :
- 46
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The Journal of emergency medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24565885
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.11.104