title: Suspected Synthetic Cannabinomimetic Intoxication: Case Series and Review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Kentucky HealthCare, Department of Pharmacy Services, Lexington, KY, USA.|2 University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Regan A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Kentucky HealthCare, Department of Pharmacy Services, Lexington, KY, USA.|2 University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Abby
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: 3 University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy and Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blumenschein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000633:toxicity*; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids; D013287:Illicit Drugs
keywords: cannabinomimetic; synthetic cannabinoid; synthetic marijuana