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Synthetic cannabinoids
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- Common street names: spice, K2, Moon Rocks, Blue Lotus, many others
- Active ingredients frequently change to avoid legal proscription
- Generally contains cannabinoid receptor agonists (CB1 or CB2) that are far more potent than THC
- Does not show up on routine tox screen
- Generally smoked, but can be imbibed as a tea
Clinical Features
- Similar effect to marijuana at low doses, but may be more intense and cause an acute Excited delirium
- Typical onset of 10-30 min and taper over 1-2 hours
- Tachycardia and hypertension common (distinguishing it from MJ use)
- Adverse effects:;nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, agitation, deli
- Use has been associated with AKI and acute cerebral ischemia.[1][2]
Differential Diagnosis
Sympathomimetics
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Ketamine
- Ecstasy (MDMA)
- Synthetic cannabinoids
- Bath salts
Drugs of abuse
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- Marijuana
- Amphetamines
- Alcohol
- Synthetic cannabinoids
- Bath salts
- Heroin
- 25C-NBOMe
- Inhalant abuse
- Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
Evaluation
- Clinical diagnosis
Management
- Supportive care
Disposition
- Generally may be discharged once sober (assuming no adverse effects that would mandate admission)
See Also
References
- ↑ Buser GL, Gerona RR, Horowitz BZ, et al. Acute kidney injury associated with smoking synthetic cannabinoid. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2014;52(7):664–73.
- ↑ Takematsu M, Hoffman RS, Nelson LS, Schechter JM, Moran JH, Wiener SW. A case of acute cerebral ischemia following inhalation of a synthetic cannabinoid. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2014;52(9):973–5.
