title: Recreational phenethylamine poisonings reported to a French poison control center.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Over the last decade, use of phenethylamines has become increasingly prevalent. This study aimed to describe typical aspects of phenethylamine poisoning in order to better inform patient care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phenethylamine poisoning cases reported to the Poison Control Center of Angers, France, from January, 2007 to December, 2013 were examined. Clinical findings were examined in 105 patients, including phenethylamine used, symptoms and final outcome. Patients were predominantly male (80%), with mean age 26±8 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MDMA (38%), amphetamine (18%) and methamphetamine (14%) were the most commonly reported. Synthetic cathinones (10%) and the 2C series (7%) were also found. Substances most commonly associated with phenethylamine poisoning were cannabis (27%), ethanol (20%) and cocaine (9%). The most frequently reported symptoms included anxiety and hallucinations (49%), mydriasis and headache (41%), tachycardia (40%) and hypertension (15%). Complications such as seizures (7%), cardiac arrest (5%), toxic myocarditis (1%) and hemorrhagic stroke (1%) were also observed. Of the cases, the Poison Severity Score was: null or low, 66%, moderate, 21%, severe or fatal, 13%. Of the patients, 77% received hospital care and 12.4% were admitted to an intensive care unit. Analytical confirmations were obtained for all severe cases. While 93% of patients recovered, there were 5 deaths and 2 patients presented with neurological sequelae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phenethylamine poisonings may be severe in young and healthy individuals. Physicians, toxicologists and analysts should be aware of new phenethylamine consumption trends in order to inform management of patient care and to contribute to a more responsive drug policy.
authors.affiliation: CHU d'Angers, Poison Control Center Angers University Hospital, Poison Control Center, 4 rue larrey, Angers 49933, France.
authors.forename: Gaël
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Le Roux
authors.affiliation: CHU d'Angers, Poison Control Center Angers University Hospital, Poison Control Center, 4 rue larrey, Angers 49933, France.
authors.forename: Chloé
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bruneau
authors.affiliation: CHU d'Angers, Poison Control Center Angers University Hospital, Poison Control Center, 4 rue larrey, Angers 49933, France.
authors.forename: Bénédicte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lelièvre
authors.affiliation: CHU d'Angers, Poison Control Center Angers University Hospital, Poison Control Center, 4 rue larrey, Angers 49933, France.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bretaudeau Deguigne
authors.affiliation: CHU d'Angers, Poison Control Center Angers University Hospital, Poison Control Center, 4 rue larrey, Angers 49933, France.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turcant
authors.affiliation: CHU d'Angers, Poison Control Center Angers University Hospital, Poison Control Center, 4 rue larrey, Angers 49933, France.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harry
authors.affiliation: CHU d'Angers, Poison Control Center Angers University Hospital, Poison Control Center, 4 rue larrey, Angers 49933, France. Electronic address: daboels@chu-angers.fr.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boels
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000009:adverse effects; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D002188:Cannabis / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D004347:Drug Interactions; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000506:poisoning*; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D010627:Phenethylamines; C029261:phenethylamine; D000431:Ethanol; D008694:Methamphetamine; C023665:cathinone; D000661:Amphetamine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
keywords: Amphetamines; Designer drugs; Phenethylamines; Poison control center; Poisoning