title: Novel psychoactive substances: a novel clinical challenge.
abstract: The recreational use of novel psychoactive substances in the UK has increased markedly within the last decade. The variety of new substances synthesised and sold as 'legal', often under the pretence of being 'plant food' or 'bath salts' is similarly increasing. This presents challenges to clinicians: they may be unaware of these substances or unable to identify them and their potential for complications and drug interactions. This case describes a patient who ingested a novel psychoactive substance and presented with severe agitation following a delay of several days. He experienced renal, hepatic and neurological complications requiring critical care input. Our case adds to the current repertoire of knowledge regarding the effects of ingestion of novel cathinones.
authors: Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. christopher.smith10@nhs.net
authors: Christopher Daniel
authors: CD
authors: Smith
authors: Margaret
authors: M
authors: Williams
authors: Maliha
authors: M
authors: Shaikh
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D015198:Designer Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D015198:Designer Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; C023665:cathinone
references: J Med Toxicol. 2012 Mar;8(1):33-42
references: 22108839
references: Ann Emerg Med. 2012 Jul;60(1):103-5
references: 22387085