Designer drugs in the general hospital.
This article has reviewed the potential complications of acute intoxication and withdrawal from some of the more commonly used club, or designer, drugs. Although limited, acute use of these drugs is claimed by users to be benign, in the context of crowded raves and circuit parties, where multiple drugs may be used, hyperthermia, dehydration, and life-threatening reactions may occur. In addition, mounting evidence of the long-term effects of continued use of these drugs is cause for great concern. Finally, awareness of a severe withdrawal syndrome from GHB and its precursors is particularly important to psychiatrists of the medically ill, who may be called on to help in the management of these patients.
Bialer
Philip A
PA
Division of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA. pbialer@bethisraelny.org
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015198:Designer Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation
D015198:Designer Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs