Clinical toxicology of newer recreational drugs
Clinical Toxicology – October 01, 2011
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Emerging recreational drugs pose significant risks, yet clinicians lack reliable data for effective management of toxicity. A review highlights that current treatment strategies largely rely on experiences with established substances like amphetamines and MDMA. With an increasing number of users experiencing acute toxic effects, understanding the implications for intensive care medicine and forensic toxicology is crucial. Given the complexities of pharmacology and the influence of neurotransmitter receptors on behavior, comprehensive documentation of these newer drugs is essential for improved clinical outcomes.
Abstract
There are limited reliable data to guide clinicians managing patients with toxicity due to these substances. The harms associated with emerging recreational drugs are not fully documented, although it is clear that they are not without risk. Management of users with acute toxic effects is pragmatic and primarily extrapolated from experience with longer established stimulant or hallucinogenic drugs such as amfetamines, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamfetamine (MDMA) and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).