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Suspected Synthetic Cannabinomimetic Intoxication: Case Series and Review
- Source :
- Journal of pharmacy practice. 31(2)
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Purpose:The purpose of this work was to retrospectively review patient cases presenting to the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center (UKCMC) emergency department (ED) with symptoms of suspected synthetic cannabinomimetic (SC) intoxication. These drugs, currently undetected by standard urine drug screen tests, comprise a structurally diverse group of compounds designed to mimic the psychoactive effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana.Summary:Fourteen cases of suspected SC intoxication were identified between July 1, 2015, through September 30, 2015. The median patient age was 25.5 years (range: 13-45 years), and most (64%) patients were males. The most common psychoactive symptom was agitation (n = 6, 42.9%), while the most common physical symptoms were altered level of consciousness (n = 9, 64.3%) and mydriasis (n = 3, 21.4%). Most cases resolved without complication in 24 hours; 2 patients required hospitalization.Conclusion:Recent legislation has failed to curb the public health concerns emanating from SC misuse. Education about the risks of SC use along with additional regulation may be required to remove the false sense of safety that some individuals, especially adolescents and young adults, may associate with these compounds, which are often misconstrued as “herbal marijuana.” Clinicians need to be prepared to identify and treat symptoms of SC intoxication as incidents of toxicity continue to rise.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
Pediatrics
medicine.medical_specialty
Emergency Medical Services
Adolescent
03 medical and health sciences
Young Adult
0302 clinical medicine
Patient age
medicine
Mydriasis
Humans
Pharmacology (medical)
030212 general & internal medicine
Retrospective Studies
business.industry
Cannabinoids
Illicit Drugs
Emergency department
Middle Aged
Anesthesia
Urine drug screen
Consciousness Disorders
Female
medicine.symptom
Complication
business
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Altered level of consciousness
Akathisia, Drug-Induced
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15311937
- Volume :
- 31
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of pharmacy practice
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....0640904d5a477d582d580668efa935e7