title: Adverse effects after the use of JWH-210 - a case series from the EU Spice II plus project.
abstract: Since 2009, more than 140 different synthetic cannabinoids (SC) have been identified in herbal mixtures consumed as recreational drugs. Knowledge of the acute toxicity of each individual compound remains sparse. Here we present a retrospective observational case series of patients presenting to emergency departments with analytically confirmed intake of JWH-210 as the only SC detected in serum samples. Cases were selected from a poison centre database from March 2011 to June 2014. In total, 22 patients were included (aged 12-25 years, median 17.5; 18 males 4 female). JWH-210 was identified in the serum samples in concentrations ranging from 0.18 to 90 ng/mL. Tachycardia, nausea, somnolence, hypokalemia, hypertension, restlessness, and/or agitation were most frequently reported. Diplopia, seizures, syncope, and ECG changes such as T-wave inversion and bradycardia were also noted. Acute adverse effects of JWH-210 typically include central nervous system depression or cerebral seizures, but also signs of sympathomimetic toxicity. Nausea was reported in 80% and typically shows a sudden onset shortly after inhalation, suggesting a central nervous effect possibly mediated by CB1receptors. Cardiovascular effects are reported in up to 80% of the patients and might not only include alterations in blood pressure and heart rate, but also changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG). JWH-210 as a representative of a strong CB1receptor agonist confirms previous reports about adverse effects of SC, but shows a distinct quantitative pattern of symptoms, compared to several other SC. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Poisons Information Center, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. maren.hermanns-clausen@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Maren
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hermanns-Clausen
authors.affiliation: Poisons Information Center, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kithinji
authors.affiliation: Poisons Information Center, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spehl
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Germany.|Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Angerer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Germany.|Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Franz
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Toxicology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Eyer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Auwärter
mesh_terms: D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D007211:Indoles / Q000819:agonists* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D001239:Inhalation; D008297:Male; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000819:agonists* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017365:Spices; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: C582338:4-ethylnaphthalen-1-yl-(1-pentylindol-3-yl)methanone; D002186:Cannabinoids; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007211:Indoles; D009281:Naphthalenes; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
keywords: CB1 receptor agonist; JWH-210; cannabimimetics; poisoning; synthetic cannabinoids; synthetic marijuana