Bath salts and other emerging toxins.
Matthew D Thornton, Carl R Baum
Pediatric emergency care January 1, 2014 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000000069 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractNovel synthetic drugs like synthetic cathinones (bath salts) and synthetic cannabinoids (spice or K2), along with the naturally occurring hallucinogen Salvia divinorum, have become popular drugs of abuse. Their legal status is rapidly changing and confusing for lawmakers and medical practitioners. This review provides up-to-date information on the legality, historical background, chemical composition, patterns of abuse, clinical presentations, laboratory analysis, and management strategies for these substances, with a focus on synthetic cathinones.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | The legal status of synthetic cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, and Salvia divinorum is rapidly changing and confusing, and the review provides updated information on these substances. |
Abstract
Novel classes of synthetic drugs, including synthetic cathinones ("bath salts") and synthetic cannabinoids ("spice" or "K2"), have recently emerged as popular drugs of abuse. Salvia divinorum, a naturally occurring herb, has gained popularity in the last decade as a hallucinogenic as well. The legal status of these substances has been undergoing rapid changes and has been confusing to lawmakers and medical practitioners alike. We present an up-to-date information about the legality of these substances. We also discuss the historical background, chemical composition, patterns of abuse, clinical presentations, laboratory analysis, and management strategies for these drugs, with an emphasis on synthetic cathinones.