1
|
Sharif AF, Alshammari RY, Alghamdi FT, Almutairi SA, AlGhamdi AS, Al-Nazhan AS, AlNasser S, Al-Mulhim KA. Assessment of co-ingestion effects on poisoning patterns, drug-drug interactions, and adverse outcomes in acute toxic exposure. Toxicol Rep 2024; 13:101705. [PMID: 39224455 PMCID: PMC11367109 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.101705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple toxic exposures are increasing nowadays. In cases of acute poisoning involving multiple agents, there is a potential for additional toxicity that goes beyond the effects and toxicity of each drug. Very scarce studies have investigated the problem of multiple toxic exposures where the information on drug-drug interactions (DDIs) originates from clinical experience, which is inconclusive and cannot be generalized to patients. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the influence of co-ingestion on the clinical presentation of exposed patients and to identify the common associated DDIs and their effect on poisoning outcomes, including the need for mechanical ventilation (MV), intensive care unit (ICU) utilization, and prolonged hospital stay. The current study is a retrospective cross-sectional study that was conducted using medical records of 169 adult patients admitted to a poison control center and diagnosed with acute drug poisoning. Of them, 40.8 % were exposed to multiple drugs. The total number of drugs reported in the current study was 320 preparations, with an average of 1.9 drugs per patient. There were about 726 potential DDIs; more than half of these interactions were significant (n = 486). Antidepressants and psychotropics showed the highest total number of DDIs. Patients with multiple ingestion were significantly older and this pattern of exposure was more frequent among suicidal attempters, substance abusers, cardiac patients, and patients diagnosed with neurological and psychological problems. Moreover, patients with multiple ingestions showed severe presentations indicated by higher grades of Poison Severity Score and lower Glasgow Coma Scale. Multiple ingestion was associated with higher liability for MV, ICU admission, and prolonged length of hospital stay (p < 0.001). There was a significant moderate direct correlation between the number of drugs consumed and the number of resulting DDIs (r = 0.542, p < 0.001). There was a significant direct correlation between the occurrence of significant chronic/chronic drug interactions from one side and the history of substance abuse (r = 0.596, p = 0.041) and psychological illness (r = 0.662, p = 0.019) from the other side. Moreover, significant acute/acute drug interactions were correlated with being male (r = 0.969, p < 0.001) of older age (r = 0.672, p = 0.024). Similarly, significant acute/chronic drug interactions were moderately correlated with being a male (r = 0.692, p = 0.013). The presence of epilepsy and psychological problems were the main significant predictors of multiple acute toxic exposures. Among the patients exposed acutely to more than one agent who were on long-term treatment, exposure to three drugs or more could significantly predict the need for MV with excellent area under the curve (AUC) of 0.896 and 77.0 % accuracy. Moreover, and it was a fair predictor of ICU admission (AUC = 0.625), with an 88.9 % ability to exclude patients unlikely to need ICU admission. Particular attention should be paid to the patients at risk of potential DDIs. When prescribing drugs, the minimum number of drugs with the lowest effective doses, and minimal potential DDIs should be prioritized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Fady Sharif
- Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Dar AL-Uloom University, Al Falah, Riyadh 13314, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, El Bahr St., Tanta, Gharbia Governorate 31111, Egypt
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Shahd AlNasser
- Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Hittin, Riyadh 13513, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid A. Al-Mulhim
- Emergency Medicine Department, King Fahad Medical City, Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12231, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zellner T, Eyer F, Rabe C, Geith S, Haberl B, Schmoll S. Recreational Drug Overdose-Clinical Value of Toxicological Analysis. TOXICS 2024; 12:662. [PMID: 39330590 PMCID: PMC11436079 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12090662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxicological analysis of patients with acute recreational drug poisoning can improve our understanding of substance use patterns, clinical symptoms, and improve treatment. Patient history alone may be incomplete or misleading. The objective was to assess the differences in patient history and analytical results, to describe the clinical characteristics, implications and hospital management, and to describe the drug use pattern over time. METHODS A retrospective study including all patients admitted to our toxicology unit with recreational drug toxicity and analytical testing from October 2014 to December 2022. RESULTS 872 patients were included. Patient history revealed a median of one ingested substance class: opiates/opioids, benzodiazepines/Z-drugs, and Pregabalin were predominant. Urine analysis revealed a median of three ingested substance classes (p < 0.001). Benzodiazepines/Z-drugs, Pregabalin, and THC were severely underreported. Agitation and aggression, anxiety, hallucinations, and psychosis were frequent, associated with cocaine, cathinone/phenethylamine, and amphetamine/MDMA detection and required sedation. Coma was also frequent, associated with opiate/opioid, benzodiazepine/Z-drug, GBL/GHB, and Pregabalin detection and required intubation, and/or application of Naloxone and/or Flumazenil. Twelve patients arrived in cardiac arrest; all were positive for opiates/opioids. Four patients died: three with Benzodiazepines/Z-drugs, Pregabalin and opiates/opioids detected, one with cathinones/phenethylamines detected. While cathinones/phenethylamines and synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists were mainly detected between 2014-2016, detection decreased significantly between 2017-2022 after NPS legislation passed. Pregabalin detection increased. CONCLUSIONS Patient history is inaccurate, and patients frequently underreport ingested drugs. Opiates and opioids are still the main cause of morbidity and mortality. Pregabalin is increasingly abused. NPS legislation effectively decreased cathinone/phenethylamine and synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist overdoses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Zellner
- Division of Clinical Toxicology, Poison Centre Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (F.E.); (C.R.); (S.G.); (B.H.); (S.S.)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Smith JL, Greene S, McCutcheon D, Weber C, Kotkis E, Soderstrom J, Douglas B, Lenton S, Grigg J, Dessauer P, Ezard N, Fatovich DM. A multicentre case series of analytically confirmed gamma-hydroxybutyrate intoxications in Western Australian emergency departments: Pre-hospital circumstances, co-detections and clinical outcomes. Drug Alcohol Rev 2024. [PMID: 38426636 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) use is associated with high risk of accidental overdose. This study examined the pre-hospital circumstances, demographic characteristics and clinical outcomes of analytically confirmed GHB emergency department (ED) presentations in Western Australia (WA). METHODS This case series was conducted across three WA EDs involved in the Emerging Drugs Network of Australia, from April 2020 to July 2022. Patient demographics, pre-hospital drug exposure circumstances and ED presentation and outcome characteristics were collected from ambulance and hospital medical records of GHB-confirmed cases. RESULTS GHB was detected in 45 ED presentations. The median age was 34 years and 53.3% (n = 24) were female. Most patients arrived at the ED by ambulance (n = 37, 85.7%) and required immediate emergency care (Australasian Triage Score 1 or 2 = 97.8%). One-third of patients were admitted to intensive care (n = 14, 31.1%). Methylamphetamine was co-detected in 37 (82.2%) GHB-confirmed cases. Reduced conscious state was indicated by first recorded Glasgow Coma Scale of ≤8 (n = 29, 64.4%) and observations of patients becoming, or being found, 'unresponsive' and 'unconscious' in various pre-hospital settings (n = 28, 62.2%). 'Agitated' and/or 'erratic' mental state and behavioural observations were recorded in 20 (44.4%) cases. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Analytically verified data from ED presentations with acute toxicity provides an objective information source on drug use trends and emerging public health threats. In our study, patients presenting to WA EDs with GHB intoxication were acutely unwell, often requiring intensive care treatment. The unexpectedly high proportion of female GHB intoxications and methylamphetamine co-ingestion warrants further exploration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Smith
- Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Australia
- East Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, Australia
| | - Shaun Greene
- Emergency Department, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Victorian Poisons Information Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Critical Care, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David McCutcheon
- Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Emergency Department, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
- Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation, Perth, Australia
| | - Courtney Weber
- Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Australia
- East Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, Australia
| | - Ellie Kotkis
- Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Australia
- East Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, Australia
| | - Jessamine Soderstrom
- Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Australia
- East Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Emergency Department, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Simon Lenton
- National Drug Research Institute and enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Jodie Grigg
- National Drug Research Institute and enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Nadine Ezard
- The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Alcohol and Drug Service, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- New South Wales Drug and Alcohol Clinical Research and Improvement Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Daniel M Fatovich
- Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Australia
- East Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Emergency Department, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Noseda R, Franchi M, Pagnamenta A, Müller L, Dines AM, Giraudon I, Heyerdahl F, Eyer F, Hovda KE, Liechti ME, Miró Ò, Vallersnes OM, Yates C, Dargan PI, Wood DM, Ceschi A. Determinants of Admission to Critical Care Following Acute Recreational Drug Toxicity: A Euro-DEN Plus Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5970. [PMID: 37762912 PMCID: PMC10532086 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12185970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize patients admitted to critical care following Emergency Department (ED) presentation with acute recreational drug toxicity and to identify determinants of admission to critical care. A retrospective multicenter matched case-control study was conducted by the European Drug Emergency Network Plus (Euro-DEN Plus) over the period 2014-2021. The cases were ED presentations with acute recreational drug toxicity admitted to critical care, the controls consisted of ED presentations with acute recreational drug toxicity medically discharged directly from the ED. The potential determinants of admission to critical care were assessed through multivariable conditional stepwise logistic regression analysis and multiple imputation was used to account for the missing data. From 2014 to 2021, 3448 Euro-DEN Plus presentations involved patients admitted to critical care (76.9% males; mean age 33.2 years; SD 10.9 years). Patient age ≥35 years (as compared to ≤18 years) was a determinant of admission to critical care following acute recreational drug toxicity (adjusted odds ratio, aOR, 1.51, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.15-1.99), along with polydrug use (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.22-1.59), ethanol co-ingestion (aOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.26-1.64), and the use of gamma-hydroxybutyrate/gamma-butyrolactone (GHB/GBL, aOR 3.08, 95% CI 2.66-3.57). Conversely, lower odds of admission to critical care were associated with the use of cocaine (aOR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74-0.99), cannabis (aOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.37-0.52), heroin (aOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.93), and amphetamine (aOR 0.65, 95% CI 0.54-0.78), as was the arrival to the ED during the night (8 p.m.-8 a.m., aOR 0.88, 95% CI 0.79-0.98). These findings, which deserve confirmation and further investigation, could contribute to a more complete understanding of the decision-making process underlying the admission to critical care of patients with acute recreational drug toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Noseda
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacological Sciences of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland; (R.N.); (L.M.)
| | - Matteo Franchi
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy;
- National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Pagnamenta
- Clinical Trial Unit, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland;
- Department of Intensive Care, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Division of Pneumology, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laura Müller
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacological Sciences of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland; (R.N.); (L.M.)
| | - Alison M. Dines
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, London SE1 7EH, UK; (A.M.D.); (P.I.D.); (D.M.W.)
| | - Isabelle Giraudon
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), 1249-289 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Fridtjof Heyerdahl
- Prehospital Division, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway;
- The Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, 0184 Oslo, Norway
| | - Florian Eyer
- Department of Clinical Toxicology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany;
| | - Knut Erik Hovda
- The Norwegian CBRNE Centre of Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Matthias E. Liechti
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital and University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Òscar Miró
- Emergency Department, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, 08036 Catalonia, Spain;
| | - Odd Martin Vallersnes
- Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway;
- Oslo Accident and Emergency Outpatient Clinic, City of Oslo Health Agency, 0182 Oslo, Norway
| | - Christopher Yates
- Emergency Department and Clinical Toxicology Unit, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, 07120 Mallorca, Spain;
| | - Paul I. Dargan
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, London SE1 7EH, UK; (A.M.D.); (P.I.D.); (D.M.W.)
- Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - David M. Wood
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, London SE1 7EH, UK; (A.M.D.); (P.I.D.); (D.M.W.)
- Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Alessandro Ceschi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacological Sciences of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland; (R.N.); (L.M.)
- Clinical Trial Unit, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland;
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cohen N, Mathew M, Brent J, Wax P, Davis AL, Obilom C, Burns MM, Canning J, Baumgartner K, Koons AL, Wiegand TJ, Judge B, Hoyte C, Chenoweth JA, Froberg B, Farrar H, Carey JL, Hendrickson RG, Hodgman M, Caravati EM, Christian MR, Wolk BJ, Seifert SA, Bentur Y, Levine M, Farrugia LA, Vearrier D, Minns AB, Kennedy JM, Kirschner RI, Aldy K, Schuh S, Campleman S, Li S, Myran DT, Feng L, Freedman SB, Finkelstein Y. Severe outcomes following pediatric cannabis intoxication: a prospective cohort study of an international toxicology surveillance registry. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2023; 61:591-598. [PMID: 37603042 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2023.2238121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION An increasing number of jurisdictions have legalized recreational cannabis for adult use. The subsequent availability and marketing of recreational cannabis has led to a parallel increase in rates and severity of pediatric cannabis intoxications. We explored predictors of severe outcomes in pediatric patients who presented to the emergency department with cannabis intoxication. METHODS In this prospective cohort study, we collected data on all pediatric patients (<18 years) who presented with cannabis intoxication from August 2017 through June 2020 to participating sites in the Toxicology Investigators Consortium. In cases that involved polysubstance exposure, patients were included if cannabis was a significant contributing agent. The primary outcome was a composite severe outcome endpoint, defined as an intensive care unit admission or in-hospital death. Covariates included relevant sociodemographic and exposure characteristics. RESULTS One hundred and thirty-eight pediatric patients (54% males, median age 14.0 years, interquartile range 3.7-16.0) presented to a participating emergency department with cannabis intoxication. Fifty-two patients (38%) were admitted to an intensive care unit, including one patient who died. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, polysubstance ingestion (adjusted odds ratio = 16.3; 95% confidence interval: 4.6-58.3; P < 0.001)) and cannabis edibles ingestion (adjusted odds ratio = 5.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.9-15.9; P = 0.001) were strong independent predictors of severe outcome. In an age-stratified regression analysis, in children older than >10 years, only polysubstance abuse remained an independent predictor for the severe outcome (adjusted odds ratio 37.1; 95% confidence interval: 6.2-221.2; P < 0.001). As all children 10 years and younger ingested edibles, a dedicated multivariable analysis could not be performed (unadjusted odds ratio 3.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.6-6.7). CONCLUSIONS Severe outcomes occurred for different reasons and were largely associated with the patient's age. Young children, all of whom were exposed to edibles, were at higher risk of severe outcomes. Teenagers with severe outcomes were frequently involved in polysubstance exposure, while psychosocial factors may have played a role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neta Cohen
- Division of Emergency Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mathew Mathew
- Division of Emergency Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Brent
- Departments of Medicine and Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Toxicology Associates, Littleton, USA
| | - Paul Wax
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- American College of Medical Toxicology, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Adrienne L Davis
- Division of Emergency Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cherie Obilom
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Joshua Canning
- Department of Medical Toxicology, Banner - University Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Kevin Baumgartner
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Andrew L Koons
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Lehigh Valley Health Network, USF Morsani College of Medicine, Allentown, PA, USA
| | - Timothy J Wiegand
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Bryan Judge
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Christopher Hoyte
- Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver Health, Denver, CO, USA
| | - James A Chenoweth
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Blake Froberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Henry Farrar
- Arkansas Children's Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | | | | | - Michael Hodgman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - E Martin Caravati
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Brian J Wolk
- Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Steven A Seifert
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Yedidia Bentur
- Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Michael Levine
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lynn A Farrugia
- UF Health Shands Hospital, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - David Vearrier
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Alicia B Minns
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Joseph M Kennedy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT, USA
| | | | - Kim Aldy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- American College of Medical Toxicology, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Suzanne Schuh
- Division of Emergency Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Shao Li
- American College of Medical Toxicology, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | | | - Lisa Feng
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stephen B Freedman
- Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Yaron Finkelstein
- Division of Emergency Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kim M, Oh S, Kim S, Ji M, Choi B, Bae JW, Lee YS, Paik MJ, Lee S. Alcohol perturbed locomotor behavior, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in rats. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114992. [PMID: 37301134 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), both a metabolic precursor and product of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), is a central nervous system depressant used for the treatment of narcolepsy-associated cataplexy and alcohol withdrawal. However, administration of GHB with alcohol (ethanol) is a major cause of hospitalizations related to GHB intoxication. In this study, we investigated locomotor behavior as well as metabolic and pharmacokinetic interactions following co-administration of GHB and ethanol in rats. The locomotor behavior of rats was evaluated following the intraperitoneal administration of GHB (sodium salt, 500 mg/kg) and/or ethanol (2 g/kg). Further, time-course urinary metabolic profiling of GHB and its biomarker metabolites glutamic acid, GABA, succinic acid, 2,4-dihydroxybutyric acid (OH-BA), 3,4-OH-BA, and glycolic acid as well as pharmacokinetic analysis were performed. GHB/ethanol co-administration significantly reduced locomotor activity, compared to the individual administration of GHB or ethanol. The urinary and plasma concentrations of GHB and other target compounds, except for 2,4-OH-BA, were significantly higher in the GHB/ethanol co-administration group than the group administered only GHB. The pharmacokinetic analysis results showed that the co-administration of GHB and ethanol significantly increased the half-life of GHB while the total clearance decreased. Moreover, a comparison of the metabolite-to-parent drug area under the curve ratios demonstrated that the metabolic pathways of GHB, such α- and β-oxidation, were inhibited by ethanol. Consequently, the co-administration of GHB and ethanol aggravated the metabolism and elimination of GHB and enhanced its sedative effect. These findings will contribute to clinical interpretation of GHB intoxication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, 1095 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 42601, the Republic of Korea
| | - Songjin Oh
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 25 Jungang-ro, Suncheon 57922, the Republic of Korea
| | - Suji Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, 1095 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 42601, the Republic of Korea
| | - Moongi Ji
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 25 Jungang-ro, Suncheon 57922, the Republic of Korea
| | - Byeongchan Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 25 Jungang-ro, Suncheon 57922, the Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Woo Bae
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, 1095 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 42601, the Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Sup Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, the Republic of Korea
| | - Man-Jeong Paik
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 25 Jungang-ro, Suncheon 57922, the Republic of Korea.
| | - Sooyeun Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, 1095 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 42601, the Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Drevin G, Briet M, Ferec S, Demiselle J, Beloncle F, Abbara C. Acute Sodium Oxybate Intoxication: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Ther Drug Monit 2023; 45:277-281. [PMID: 35914751 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000001011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite a better safety profile than illicit γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and other GHB analogs, sodium oxybate continues to raise serious concerns regarding clinical safety. In this study, the authors report the case of near-fatal intoxication involving sodium oxybate-alcohol combination in a 40-year-old woman. In addition, a review of the literature on published cases of intoxication involving this pharmaceutical form of GHB was conducted. A 40-year-old woman was admitted to the intensive care unit in a coma after voluntary ingestion of 18 g of sodium oxybate and alcohol. METHODS The GHB plasma concentration was quantified to be 146 mg/L using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. An English literature search was performed using PubMed without any limiting period to identify all available scientific publications involving cases of sodium oxybate intoxication. RESULTS Six cases were identified. Five involved fatal intoxication cases, with GHB postmortem blood concentrations ranging from 11.5 to 3500 mg/L. One involved a nonfatal intoxication case with a GHB serum concentration of 569 mg/L 7 hours postingestion. CONCLUSIONS In the present case, the estimated elimination half-life was 154 minutes. The risk of acute poisoning seems to be high considering the pharmacokinetic properties of sodium oxybate. Physicians and toxicologists must take such properties into account.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Drevin
- Service de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie Pharmacovigilance, CHU Angers, Angers, France
- Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Marie Briet
- Service de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie Pharmacovigilance, CHU Angers, Angers, France
- Université d'Angers, Angers, France
- Laboratoire MitoVasc, UMR INSERM 1083 CNRS 6015, Angers, France; and
| | - Severine Ferec
- Service de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie Pharmacovigilance, CHU Angers, Angers, France
| | - Julien Demiselle
- Service de Médecine intensive-réanimation et médecine hyperbare, CHU Angers, Angers, France
| | - François Beloncle
- Service de Médecine intensive-réanimation et médecine hyperbare, CHU Angers, Angers, France
| | - Chadi Abbara
- Service de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie Pharmacovigilance, CHU Angers, Angers, France
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Severity of emergency department presentations due to acute drug toxicity in Europe: a longitudinal analysis over a 6-year period (2014-2019) stratified by sex. Eur J Emerg Med 2023; 30:21-31. [PMID: 36350710 DOI: 10.1097/mej.0000000000000978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the severity of acute recreation drug toxicity presentations to emergency departments (EDs) in Europe has changed in recent years and to uncover potential sex differences. DESIGN We analysed presentations to 36 EDs in 24 European countries relating to acute recreational drug toxicity, with separate analysis for presentations involving lone use of cannabis, cocaine, and heroin. As severity markers, we calculated rates of hospitalization, admission to ICU, intubation, and death by annual quarters between 2014 and 2019. Trends on severity over time were estimated by logistic regression. Differences between men and women were assessed by interaction. Sensitivity analysis was performed including only EDs that provided data for all 24 quarters. Analyses of intoxications taken altogether were adjusted by age and sex, while of lone intoxications being also adjusted by ethanol co-ingestion. RESULTS There were 43 633 presentations (median age = 31 years, interquartile range = 25-40 years, men = 76.5%) resulting in 10 344 hospitalizations (23.9%), 2568 ICU admissions (5.9%), 1391 intubations (3.2%), and 171 deaths (0.39%). Hospitalization, ICU admission and death did not differ by sex, but intubation was more frequent in men (3.4% vs. 2.3%, P < 0.001). No significant changes in the severity of drug intoxications over time were found when considered altogether, neither for lone cannabis (n = 4264) nor cocaine (n = 3562). Conversely, significant increases in hospitalization [odds ratios (OR) = 1.023, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.004-1.041], ICU admission (OR = 1.080, 95% CI = 1.042-1.118) and in intubation (OR = 1.049, 95% CI = 1.001-1.099) were detected for lone heroin presentations (n = 1997). Sensitivity analysis (32 245 presentations, 14 EDs, 9 countries) confirmed the overall absence of changes in severity markers (except for death rate, which significantly decreased by quarter: OR = 0.968, 95% CI = 0.943-0.994). Additionally, it suggested an increased risk over time of intubation for cocaine (OR = 1.068, 95% CI = 1.009-1.130) and confirmed the increased risk of ICU admission for heroin (OR = 1.058, 95% CI = 1.013-1.105). Changes in severity over time did not differ according to sex in the main analysis of the whole cohort, while a significantly higher decrease in risk of death in men was found in the sensitivity analysis (OR = 0.894, 95% CI = 0.825-969 vs. OR = 0.949, 95% CI = 0.860-1.048; P interaction = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS The severity of presentations to European EDs remained mainly unchanged during 2014-2019, but the risk of death may have decreased. Conversely, intubation in lone cocaine and ICU admission in lone heroin intoxications have increased. Although men and women exhibited a similar pattern over the period for the majority of comparisons, our data suggest that women exhibited a smaller decrease of the overall risk of death.
Collapse
|
9
|
Fischler PV, Soyka M, Seifritz E, Mutschler J. Off-label and investigational drugs in the treatment of alcohol use disorder: A critical review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:927703. [PMID: 36263121 PMCID: PMC9574013 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.927703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Compounds known to be successful in the treatment of alcohol use disorder include the aversive agent, Disulfiram, the glutamatergic NMDA receptor antagonist, Acamprosate, and the opioid receptor antagonists, Naltrexone and Nalmefene. Although all four are effective in maintaining abstinence or reduction of alcohol consumption, only a small percentage of patients receive pharmacological treatment. In addition, many other medications have been investigated for their therapeutic potential in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. In this review we summarize and compare Baclofen, Gabapentin, Topiramate, Ondansetron, Varenicline, Aripiprazole, Quetiapine, Clozapine, Antidepressants, Lithium, Neuropeptide Y, Neuropeptide S, Corticotropin-releasing factor antagonists, Oxytocin, PF-05190457, Memantine, Ifenprodil, Samidorphan, Ondelopran, ABT-436, SSR149415, Mifepristone, Ibudilast, Citicoline, Rimonabant, Surinabant, AM4113 and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate While some have shown promising results in the treatment of alcohol use disorder, others have disappointed and should be excluded from further investigation. Here we discuss the most promising results and highlight medications that deserve further preclinical or clinical study. Effective, patient-tailored treatment will require greater understanding provided by many more preclinical and clinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Valentin Fischler
- Department for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Women’s Clinic Lucerne, Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Pascal Valentin Fischler,
| | - Michael Soyka
- Psychiatric Hospital University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Director of the Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Clinic Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Schmid Y, Galicia M, Vogt SB, Liechti ME, Burillo-Putze G, Dargan PI, Dines AM, Giraudon I, Heyerdahl F, Hovda KE, Wood DM, Yates C, Miró Ò. Differences in clinical features associated with cannabis intoxication in presentations to European emergency departments according to patient age and sex. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2022; 60:912-919. [PMID: 35404194 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2022.2060116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate if clinical features associated with acute cannabis intoxication in patients presenting to Emergency Departments for medical assistance differ according to patient age and sex. METHODS We analysed presentations in the Euro-DEN Plus dataset from 2014 to 2019 in which cannabis was the only drug involved (except for alcohol), and age, sex and alcohol co-ingestion had been recorded. Age was considered as categorical (five groups; <20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and ≥50 years), and sex as binary variable (male/female). We evaluated 12 key clinical features recorded during emergency department (ED) care. Risks of presenting with each of these clinical features according to patient age and sex were calculated by logistic regression models, and adjusted for sex, age and alcohol co-ingestion. RESULTS 4,268 of 43,633 Euro-DEN presentations (9.8%) fulfilled the inclusion criteria (median age: 26 years (IQR = 20-34), 70% male, 52% co-ingested alcohol). The frequency of clinical features was: anxiety 28%, vomiting 24%, agitation 23%, palpitations 14%, reduced consciousness 13%, acute psychosis 9%, hallucinations 9%, chest pain 7%, headache 6%, hypotension 4%, hypertension 3% and seizures 2%. Patients younger than 20 years more frequently had vomiting (34.7% of cases), reduced consciousness (21.5%), and headache (10.8%); and less frequently acute psychosis (5.5%). Patients older than 49 years more often had hypotension (6.5%) and less frequently vomiting (20%), anxiety (14%), agitation (14%) and reduced consciousness (10%). Males more frequently presented with hypertension (3.7 vs. 1.5%; OR = 2.311, 95%CI = 1.299-3.816), psychosis (10.4 vs 6.3%; 1.948, 1.432-2.430), chest pain (8.1 vs 4.5%; 1.838, 1.390-2.430) and seizures (2.5 vs 1.4%; 1.805, 1.065-3.060), and less frequently with vomiting (21.8 vs 28.2%; 0.793, 0.677-0.930), anxiety (25.4 vs 32.3%; 0.655, 0.561-0.766) and hypotension (2.9 vs 5.8%; 0.485, 0.350-0.671). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of some clinical features typically associated with acute cannabis intoxication differed according to age and sex. The causes for these differences should be further investigated in order to better understand the pathophysiology of cannabis-related acute toxicity, and they may be relevant particularly for developing prevention campaigns and for treatment in specific sex and/or age groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Schmid
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Miguel Galicia
- Emergency Department, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Severin B Vogt
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Guillermo Burillo-Putze
- Emergency Department, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Paul I Dargan
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's Health Partners, London, UK.,Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alison M Dines
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's Health Partners, London, UK
| | - Isabelle Giraudon
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Fridtjof Heyerdahl
- Prehospital Division, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,The Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Oslo, Norway
| | - Knut Erik Hovda
- The Norwegian CBRNe Centre of Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - David M Wood
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's Health Partners, London, UK.,Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Christopher Yates
- SAMU 061 Balears. Grupo de trabajo de Toxicología Clínica. IdISBa.Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Òscar Miró
- Emergency Department, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Clinical effect of ethanol co-use in patients with acute drug toxicity involving the use of central nervous system depressant recreational drugs. Eur J Emerg Med 2022; 29:291-300. [PMID: 35404314 DOI: 10.1097/mej.0000000000000932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE Patients who use recreational drugs frequently co-ingest ethanol, which is considered a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. The clinical relevance of this in acute toxicity involving other CNS depressants is not well described. OBJECTIVE To assess the clinical impact of ethanol co-use in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute toxicity involving the use of CNS depressant drugs. DESIGN, SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective multicentre study using data from the Euro-DEN Plus database from January 2014 to December 2019. OUTCOMES MEASURE AND ANALYSIS Comparison of epidemiologic and clinical characteristics, ED and hospital management of patients with CNS depressant intoxication with or without ethanol co-use. MAIN RESULTS Although 7644 (17.5%) of the 43 633 presentations were included, ethanol was co-ingested in 3811 (49.9%). In total 53.3% required medical treatment, 14 patients died. Patients with ethanol co-use more frequently presented with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤8 (34.1% vs. 22.4%; P < 0.001), vomiting (8.1% vs. 4.6%; P < 0.001), anxiety (12 % vs. 6.4%; P < 0.001), agitation/aggression (22% vs. 14.7%; P < 0.001), seizures (3.8% vs. 2.4%; P < 0.001) and hypotension (7.5% vs. 4.6%; P < 0.001). They more often required ambulance transport (85.5% vs. 76.5%; P < 0.001), medical treatment (57.3% vs. 48.0%; P < 0.001), hospitalization (27.7% vs. 18.9%; P < 0.001), and admission to intensive care (12.2% vs. 4.0%; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that GCS ≤8 was particularly common in patients who combined ethanol with opioids or gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)/gamma-butyrolactone (GBL). CONCLUSION Co-use of ethanol with CNS-depressant drugs appears to increase the risk of adverse effects and is associated with a higher need for medical treatment, especially when ethanol is combined with opioids or GHB/GBL.
Collapse
|
12
|
Tay E, Lo WKW, Murnion B. Current Insights on the Impact of Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) Abuse. Subst Abuse Rehabil 2022; 13:13-23. [PMID: 35173515 PMCID: PMC8843350 DOI: 10.2147/sar.s315720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Tay
- Drug Health Services, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Wing Kwan Winky Lo
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bridin Murnion
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Correspondence: Bridin Murnion, Drug Health Services, Western Sydney Local Health District, 4A Fleet Street, North Parramatta, NSW, 2151, Australia, Tel +61 2 9840 3888, Fax +61 2 9840 3927, Email
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mainoli B, Gonçalves N, Ferreira JJ, Mégarbane B. Potential drug-drug interactions in acute poisonings managed in the intensive care unit: Occurrence, risk factors and relationship to patient severity on admission. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2021; 130:337-345. [PMID: 34873835 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Beyond the direct toxicity resulting from each drug in the poisoned patient, additional toxicities may result from drug-drug interactions (DDIs). We aimed to determine the frequency of potential DDIs in the poisoned patient and investigate whether DDIs are associated with severity. We conducted a 1-year cohort study in a toxicological ICU. DDIs were identified using an electronic interaction-checker tool. Among our 354 ICU poisoned patients, 134 (38%) presented at least one potential DDI between acute poisoning drugs and 180 (51%) at least one potential DDI between acute poisoning and long-term treatment drugs. Using multivariate analyses, previous suicide attempt was associated with the presence of potential DDIs between acute poisoning drugs in suicide attempt patients (P = 0.014). Chronic alcoholism (P = 0.005) and tobacco smoking (P = 0.022) were associated with the presence of potential DDIs between acute poisoning and long-term treatment drugs in recreational drug users. Presence of potential DDIs between acute poisoning and long-term treatment drugs was associated with catecholamine infusion (P = 0.022) in suicidal self-exposure patients. Presence of potential pharmacodynamic DDIs between acute poisoning and long-term treatment drugs was associated with aspiration pneumonia onset in recreational drug users (P = 0.03). ICU poisoned patients present a high rate of potential DDIs that may influence the outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Mainoli
- Department of Medical and Toxicological Critical Care, Lariboisière Hospital, APHP, Paris University, INSERM UMRS-1144, Paris, France.,Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,IMM, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nilza Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,IMM, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joaquim J Ferreira
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,IMM, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bruno Mégarbane
- Department of Medical and Toxicological Critical Care, Lariboisière Hospital, APHP, Paris University, INSERM UMRS-1144, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abid M, Kietzerow J, Iwersen-Bergmann S, Schnitgerhans T, Andresen-Streichert H. Characteristics and dose-effect relationship of clinical gamma-hydroxybutyrate intoxication: A case series. J Forensic Sci 2021; 67:416-427. [PMID: 34523720 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) overdoses cause respiratory depression, coma, or even death. Symptoms and severity of poisoning depend on blood-concentrations and individual factors such as tolerance. A retrospective case study was conducted, evaluating GHB intoxication cases. GHB-concentrations in blood and urine were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) along with, in part, via enzymatic assay. GHB-concentrations, demographic data, and additional drug use, as well as specific clinical information, were evaluated. The correlation between GHB-levels in blood and associated symptoms were examined. In total, 75 cases originating from the Emergency Departments (EDs) of Hamburg and surrounding hospitals were included. Fifty-four of the patients (72%) were male. The mean GHB-concentration in blood was 248 mg/L (range 21.5-1418 mg/L). Out of the group with detailed clinical information (n = 18), the comatose group (n = 10/18) showed a mean of 244 mg/L (range 136-403 mg/L), which was higher than that of the somnolent and awake patients. Of the comatose collective, 70% (n = 7) showed co-use of one or more substances, with the additional use of cocaine being the most frequently detected (n = 5). In conclusion, a moderate dose-effect relationship was observed, although, there was some overlap in dosage concentration levels of GHB in awake and comatose patients. In GHB-intoxication cases, co-use was common as were clinical effects such as acidosis, hypotension, and impact on the heart rate. Timely analytical determination of the GHB-concentration in blood could support correct diagnosis of the cause of unconsciousness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madelaine Abid
- Department of Toxicology, Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jana Kietzerow
- Department of Toxicology, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stefanie Iwersen-Bergmann
- Department of Toxicology, Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tino Schnitgerhans
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asklepios-Klinik Nord - Heidberg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hilke Andresen-Streichert
- Department of Toxicology, Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Toxicology, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Supervía A, Ibrahim-Achi D, Miró Ò, Galicia M, Ferrando JP, Leciñena MA, de L'Hotellerie MJV, Bajo ÁB, Martín-Pérez B, Burillo-Putze G. Impact of co-ingestion of ethanol on the clinical symptomatology and severity of patients attended in the emergency department for recreational drug toxicity. Am J Emerg Med 2021; 50:422-427. [PMID: 34482128 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.08.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Investigate whether there are differences in the drugs involved, symptomatology and severity of drug intoxication in patients with co-ingestion of alcohol attended in hospital emergency departments (ED). METHOD Patients attended in 11 Spanish EDs due to drug intoxication were included. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected. A combined adverse event of cardiorespiratory arrest, need for intubation, and admission to intensive care or death was considered as the primary indicator of severity. The symptomatology and severity were compared adjusted for age, sex and type of drug based on whether or not ethanol had been co-ingested. RESULTS 3925 patients (alcohol co-ingestion: 2290, 58.3%) with a mean age of 33 (±11) years were included, and 25% were women. Co-ingestion of alcohol was observed in younger patients, in EDs in areas with high leisure tourism, on holidays and during the early morning hours. It was also more frequent in individuals intoxicated by amphetamine derivatives (66.2%) and cocaine (65.7%), and was more frequently associated with a reduction in consciousness (odds ratio [OR] = 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.69-2.67) and agitation/aggressiveness (OR = 1.22, 95% = 1.04-1.43). A combined adverse event was observed in 114 patients (2.9%) with no differences between individuals co-ingesting or not ethanol (3.1% vs. 2.7%; OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.74-1.65). CONCLUSION Co-ingestion of alcohol is more frequent in individuals intoxicated by cocaine and amphetamines and predisposes a greater reduction in the level of consciousness or agitation, although there are no differences in the severity of the episodes of drug intoxication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- August Supervía
- Emergency Department and Functional Toxicology Unit, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dima Ibrahim-Achi
- Emergency Department, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Òscar Miró
- Area of Emergencies, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Galicia
- Area of Emergencies, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Ángel Bajo Bajo
- Emergency Department, Hospital Clínico de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Guillermo Burillo-Putze
- Department of Physical Medicine and Pharmacology, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Severe Metabolic Failures After Recreational Ingestion of γ-Butyrolactone. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2021; 40:624-626. [PMID: 33009224 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000001276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
17
|
de Veld L, Wolberink IM, van Hoof JJ, van der Lely N. The role of tobacco smoking and illicit drug use in adolescent acute alcohol intoxication. BMC Pediatr 2021; 21:233. [PMID: 34001049 PMCID: PMC8127301 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-02710-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study aims to determine the prevalence of tobacco smoking and illicit drug use among Dutch adolescents admitted to hospital for acute alcohol intoxication treatment. Furthermore, socio-demographic predictors for smoking and illicit drug use in the sample population will be studied. The relationship between illicit drug use and specific characteristics of intoxication, such as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and duration of reduced consciousness is also investigated. Methods The national Dutch Paediatric Surveillance Unit was used to prospectively register cases of acute alcohol intoxication from 2007 through 2017. Cases were included if they met the following inclusion criteria: BAC > 0.0 g/L, aged between 10 to 18 years old and requiring hospital treatment due to reduced consciousness. Questionnaires were sent to paediatricians to obtain clinical information. Results During the period 2007–2017, 5322 cases that met the inclusion criteria were reported. In this patient group, the prevalence of tobacco smoking was 22.2% (CI 21.0–23.5%), while the prevalence of illicit drug use was 11.8% (CI 10.9–12.7%). The predictors for smoking were the absence of alcohol-specific parental rule-setting, lower educational level, non-traditional family structure and positive drug screening. The predictors for illicit drug use were the absence of alcohol-specific parental rule-setting and smoking. Illicit drug use was also associated with a lower BAC at the time of admission. Conclusions Assessing smoking and illicit drug use among adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication is important in acute cases of intoxication, for outpatient follow-up and for the purposes of prevention. The relationship between simultaneous illicit drug use and a lower BAC is of relevance for paediatricians’ attempts to diagnose acute intoxication. With respect to outpatient follow-up and preventive measures, it is important to be aware that adolescents’ alcohol consumption, tobacco and illicit drug use are related and, ultimately, increase the odds of using other substances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loes de Veld
- Erasmus University, European School of Health Policy and Management, Burg. Oudlaan 50, 3062, Rotterdam, PA, The Netherlands. .,Department of Paediatrics, Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, Reinier de Graafweg 5, 2635, Delft, AD, The Netherlands.
| | - Inge M Wolberink
- Department of Paediatrics, Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, Reinier de Graafweg 5, 2635, Delft, AD, The Netherlands
| | - Joris J van Hoof
- Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500, Enschede, AE, The Netherlands
| | - Nico van der Lely
- Department of Paediatrics, Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, Reinier de Graafweg 5, 2635, Delft, AD, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, WILRIJK, 2610, Antwerpen, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Dijkstra BAG, Beurmanjer H, Goudriaan AE, Schellekens AFA, Joosten EAG. Unity in diversity: A systematic review on the GHB using population. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 94:103230. [PMID: 33892279 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the past decades gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has emerged as a popular drug with high potential of (ab)use due to its euphoric and relaxing effects. An overview of different populations using GHB is urgently needed, since this would enable development of adequate prevention and treatment policies to diminish the risks associated with GHB use. We systematically reviewed literature on different GHB using populations, comparing demographic characteristics, GHB use patterns, psychosocial aspects and psychiatric comorbidity. METHODS We conducted a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using Rayyan software. Original studies published from January 1997 up to October 2019 on GHB use were included. Out of 80 full-text articles, 60 articles of 51 unique studies were included. Most studies included people using GHB 1) presenting at emergency departments (n = 22), 2) recruited from the general population (n = 11), or 3) presenting at addiction care (n = 8). RESULTS Three main sub-populations of people using GHB are described in the literature: people using GHB recreationally without adverse effects; people using GHB recreationally with adverse effects, and people with dependence on GHB. These groups show considerable overlap in gender, age range, and comorbid substance use, as well as amount of GHB use per occasion. Differences are related to frequency and function of GHB use, the number of comas experienced, as well as work status, and psychiatric comorbidity. CONCLUSION Policy interventions should aim at preventing the transition from recreational substance use to GHB use, as most users are experienced recreational substance users prior to starting GHB use. When people use GHB regularly, interventions should aim at reducing the level of GHB use and preventing GHB use-related harm. Longitudinal studies and population-based probability sampling are required for more insight in the dynamics of GHB use in different sub-populations, and the transition from one group to the other, ultimately leading to dependence on GHB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B A G Dijkstra
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioner in Addiction (NISPA), Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboudumc, Department of Psychiatry, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Novadic-Kentron Addiction Treatment Center, Vught, the Netherlands.
| | - H Beurmanjer
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioner in Addiction (NISPA), Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Novadic-Kentron Addiction Treatment Center, Vught, the Netherlands
| | - A E Goudriaan
- Jellinek and Arkin, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A F A Schellekens
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioner in Addiction (NISPA), Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboudumc, Department of Psychiatry, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - E A G Joosten
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioner in Addiction (NISPA), Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboudumc, Department of Psychiatry, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Miró Ò, Waring WS, Dargan PI, Wood DM, Dines AM, Yates C, Giraudon I, Moughty A, O'Connor N, Heyerdahl F, Hovda KE, Vallersnes OM, Paasma R, Pold K, Jürgens G, Megarbane B, Anand JS, Liakoni E, Liechti M, Eyer F, Zacharov S, Caganova B, Bonnici J, Radenkova-Saeva J, Galicia M. Variation of drugs involved in acute drug toxicity presentations based on age and sex: an epidemiological approach based on European emergency departments. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2021; 59:896-904. [PMID: 33724118 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2021.1884693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyse the relative percentage of acute recreational drug toxicity emergency department (ED) presentations involving the main drug groups according to age and sex and investigate different patterns based on sex and age strata. METHODS We analysed all patients with acute recreational drug toxicity included by the Euro-DEN Plus dataset (22 EDs in 14 European countries) between October 2013 and December 2016 (39 months). Drugs were grouped as: opioids, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), hallucinogens, new psychoactive substances (NPS), benzodiazepines and ketamine. Descriptive data by age and sex are presented and compared among age/sex categories and among drug families. RESULTS Of 17,371 patients were included during the 39-month period, 17,198 (99.0%) had taken at least one of the investigated drugs (median age: 31 years; 23.9% female; ethanol co-ingestion recorded in 41.5%, unknown in 31.2%; multiple drug use in 37.9%). Opioids (in 31.4% of patients) and amphetamines (23.3%) were the most frequently involved and hallucinogens (1.9%) and ketamine (1.7%) the least. Overall, female patients were younger than males, both in the whole cohort (median age 29 vs. 32 years; p < 0.001) and in all drug groups except benzodiazepines (median age 36 vs. 36 years; p = 0.83). The relative proportion of each drug group was different at every age strata and some patterns could be clearly described: cannabis, NPS and hallucinogens were the most common in patients <20 years; amphetamines, ketamine and cocaine in the 20- to 39-year group; GHB/GBL in the 30- to 39-year group; and opioids and benzodiazepines in patients ≥40 years. Ethanol and other drug co-ingestion was more frequent at middle-ages, and multidrug co-ingestion was more common in females than males. CONCLUSION Differences in the drugs involved in acute drug toxicity presentations according to age and sex may be relevant for developing drug-prevention and education programs for some particular subgroups of the population based on the increased risk of adverse events in specific sex and/or age strata.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Òscar Miró
- Emergency Department, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,Medical School, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - William S Waring
- Acute Medical Unit York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, York, UK
| | - Paul I Dargan
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's Health Partners, London, UK.,Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - David M Wood
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's Health Partners, London, UK.,Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alison M Dines
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's Health Partners, London, UK
| | - Christopher Yates
- Emergency Department, Hospital Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Isabelle Giraudon
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Adrian Moughty
- Emergency Department Mater, Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
| | - Niall O'Connor
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Republic of Ireland
| | - Fridtjof Heyerdahl
- Department of Prehospital Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Knut E Hovda
- The National CBRNe Centre of Medicine, Department of Acute Medicine, Medical Division, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Odd M Vallersnes
- Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, Oslo Accident and Emergency Outpatient Clinic, City of Oslo Health Agency, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Gesche Jürgens
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Zealand University Hospital Roskilde, Roskilde, Denmark.,Department and Clinical Pharmacology, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bruno Megarbane
- Department of Medical and Toxicological Critical Care, Lariboisière Hospital, INSERM UMRS-1144, Paris-Diderot University, Paris, France
| | - Jacek S Anand
- Department of Clinical Toxicology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.,Pomeranian Centre of Toxicology, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Evangelia Liakoni
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Basel University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Eyer
- Department of Clinical Toxicology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sergej Zacharov
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Toxicological Information Centre, Charles Universtity and General Hospital University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Blazena Caganova
- National Toxicological Information Center, University Hospital, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | | | - Miguel Galicia
- Emergency Department, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Piccioni A, Cicchinelli S, Saviano L, Gilardi E, Zanza C, Brigida M, Tullo G, Volonnino G, Covino M, Franceschi F, La Russa R. Risk Management in First Aid for Acute Drug Intoxication. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17218021. [PMID: 33143348 PMCID: PMC7663746 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17218021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Drug abuse (cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic drugs) is an increasing phenomenon, especially in the younger population, thus leading to more cases of intoxication requiring evaluation in the emergency department and subsequent hospitalization. In 2017, 34.2% of students reported having used an illegal psychoactive substance in their lifetime, while 26% reported having done so over the past year. We made a review about the effectiveness of the role of the temporary observation unit in the emergency department to improve management of acute drugs intoxication. We checked medical literature from the last 10 years (2009-2019). The following electronic databases were systematically searched: MEDLINE-PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Then, a systematic review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review standards. Intoxicated patients usually display a favorable medical course, few diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, a short stay in the hospital, and, when hospitalization is needed, semi-intensive therapy is a feasible solution; therefore, intoxicated patients are ideal candidates for a temporary observation unit. The emergency department is very important to manage intoxicated patients; however, the hospitalization of these patients is often not necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Piccioni
- Emergency Medicine Department, University Polyclinic Foundation A. Gemelli, IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Hospitalization and Treatment), 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (S.C.); (L.S.); (M.B.); (G.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Sara Cicchinelli
- Emergency Medicine Department, University Polyclinic Foundation A. Gemelli, IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Hospitalization and Treatment), 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (S.C.); (L.S.); (M.B.); (G.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Luisa Saviano
- Emergency Medicine Department, University Polyclinic Foundation A. Gemelli, IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Hospitalization and Treatment), 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (S.C.); (L.S.); (M.B.); (G.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Emanuele Gilardi
- Emergency-Admission Department, Biomedical Campus, 00128 Rome, Italy;
| | - Christian Zanza
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine, Pietro and Michele Ferrero Hospital, 12051 Verduno, Italy;
| | - Mattia Brigida
- Emergency Medicine Department, University Polyclinic Foundation A. Gemelli, IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Hospitalization and Treatment), 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (S.C.); (L.S.); (M.B.); (G.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Gianluca Tullo
- Emergency Medicine Department, University Polyclinic Foundation A. Gemelli, IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Hospitalization and Treatment), 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (S.C.); (L.S.); (M.B.); (G.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Gianpietro Volonnino
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marcello Covino
- Emergency Medicine Department, University Polyclinic Foundation A. Gemelli, IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Hospitalization and Treatment), 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (S.C.); (L.S.); (M.B.); (G.T.); (M.C.)
| | | | - Raffaele La Russa
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Vos CF, Pop-Purceleanu M, van den Berg MJW, Schellekens AFA. Successful treatment of severe, treatment resistant GHB withdrawal through thiopental-coma. Subst Abus 2020; 42:33-38. [PMID: 33044905 DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2020.1827124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) use disorder (GUD), withdrawal can have a fulminant course with rapid progression of severe, potentially life-threatening complications. Case: We present a 45-year old man with severe GHB withdrawal, resistant to conventional treatment with pharmaceutical GHB, high doses of benzodiazepines and baclofen. GHB withdrawal finally responded to thiopental-induced coma therapy, with burst suppression pattern on electroencephalography (EEG). The patient fully recovered, without withdrawal or residual neuropsychiatric symptoms. Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first case report in which barbiturates were used to induce a coma to treat severe, treatment resistant GHB withdrawal. This case suggests barbiturate coma therapy might be considered in severe GHB withdrawal which does not respond to conventional treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis F Vos
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Monica Pop-Purceleanu
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Arnt F A Schellekens
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction (NISPA), Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|