Designer drugs 2015: assessment and management.

Abstract

Recent designer drugs, also known as "legal highs," include substituted cathinones (e.g., mephedrone, methylone, and methylenedioxypyrovalerone, often referred to as "bath salts"); synthetic cannabinoids (SCs; e.g., Spice); and synthetic hallucinogens (25I-NBOMe, or N-bomb). Compound availability has evolved rapidly to evade legal regulation and detection by routine drug testing. Young adults are the primary users, but trends are changing rapidly; use has become popular among members of the military. Acute toxicity is common and often manifests with a constellation of psychiatric and medical effects, which may be severe (e.g., anxiety, agitation, psychosis, and tachycardia), and multiple deaths have been reported with each of these types of designer drugs. Clinicians should keep designer drugs in mind when evaluating substance use in young adults or in anyone presenting with acute neuropsychiatric complaints. Treatment of acute intoxication involves supportive care targeting manifesting signs and symptoms. Long-term treatment of designer drug use disorder can be challenging and is complicated by a lack of evidence to guide treatment.

• Authors: Michael F Weaver, John A Hopper, Erik W Gunderson
• Journal: Addiction science & clinical practice (Addict Sci Clin Pract) Vol. 10 Pg. 8 (Mar 25 2015) ISSN: 1940-0640 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25928069 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Alkaloids
• Cannabinoids
• Designer Drugs
• Hallucinogens
• Hypnotics and Sedatives
• Psychotropic Drugs
• cathinone

Topics

• Alkaloids (pharmacology)
• Cannabinoids (pharmacology)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Counseling
• Designer Drugs (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Hallucinogens (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Hypnotics and Sedatives (therapeutic use)
• Monitoring, Physiologic
• Patient Education as Topic
• Psychotropic Drugs (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Substance Abuse Detection
• Substance-Related Disorders (diagnosis, therapy)