Drugs of Abuse Flashcards
Consider these interventions in ALL unknown causes of coma or decreased LOC
- Oxygen
- D50
- Thaimine
- Naloxone
Opioid drugs
- Fentanyl
- Heroin
- Oxycodone
- Morphine
- Methadone
- Hydrocodone
- Carfentanil
- Opium
- Codeine
- Hydromorphone
- Oxycontin
- Buprenorphine
S/sx of opioid OD
- Triad: mental status depression, pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Hypothermia
- Pulmonary edema (ARDs-like on CXR)
Treatment of opioid OD
- Naloxone
- IVF
- BVM (if hypoventilating/apneic)
- ET intubation (if poor response to naloxone, acute lung injury)
- Activated charcoal (for GI decontamination)
Naloxone pearls
- Diagnostic tool (confirms opioid OD w/ improvement post-administration)
- Can be given IM, IV, SQ, IN
- Apnea -> 2 mg
- Respiratory depression -> 0.4mg
- Repeat every 2-3 minutes up to 10mg (consider other diagnoses w/o improvement)
Disposition for opioid OD: pt. is awake, asymptomatic w/ nml vitals
D/C in 4-6 hours after last naloxone dose
Disposition for opioid OD: pt. overdosed on long-acting opioids, recurrent respiratory depression, or required naloxone infusion or intubation
Admit to ICU
Disposition for opioid OD: survivors in the ED
BEFORE D/C…..
- Burprenorphine
- Counseling
- Referral to treatment
Stimulants/sympathomimetic drug
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
- Dextroamphetamine
- Methylphenidate
- Caffeine
- Pseudoephedrine
- Phenylpropanolamine
S/Sx of stimulants/sympathomimetic OD:
- Dilated pupils (mydriasis)
- Tachycardia
- HTN
- Chest pain
- Hyperthermia
- Diaphoresis
- Agitation
- Seizure
Treatment of stimulants/sympathomimetic OD:
- ABCs
- IVF
- Activated charcoal (limited role) or whole bowel irrigation
- Continuous cardiac and pulse ox monitoring (12 lead EKG if CP or shock)
- Continuous temp monitoring
- Haloperidol or BZDs (if agitated or sedated)
- AVOID RESTRAINTS -> rhabdo
- Minimally stimulating environment
- Aggressive cooling
- Seizure prevention w/ BZDs
- CV concerns: BP (sedate, then BB), Dysrhythmias (NaHCO3), ACS (as before)
Other s/sx unique to methamphetamine (aka crank/ICE/crystal meth) OD
- Paranoid delusions
- Meth mouth and wasting
- Co-ingestion with BZDs
- Production injuries (burns & explosions)
S/Sx of MDMA (aka “Ecstasy/XTC/Adam/Molly/the love drug”) OD:
- Euphoric, hallucinogen
- Hyperthermia
- Seizures
- Hyponatremia
- Bruxism
- Prolonged use can cause memory loss
Treatment of MDMA OD:
- Cooling
- IVF
- BZDs for seizure prevention
S/sx of acid/LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) OD:
- Mydriasis
- Tachycardia
- Muscle tension
- Perception disorder/psychosis
Treatment of LSD/acid OD:
- BZDs or haloperidol
- Supportive care
S/sx of psilocybin (aka “magic mushrooms”) OD:
- Euphoria/altered perception
- Mydriasis
- Tachycardia
- Muscle tension
- N/V
Treatment of psilocybin OD:
- BZDs
- Supportive care
S/sx of phencyclidine (aka PCP, angel dust) OD:
- Psychosis/agitation
- Miosis
- Nystagmus
- Muscle rigidity
- Coma/seizures/hyperthermia
Treatment of phencyclidine OD:
- BZDs
- Hydration
- Active cooling
S/sx of ketamine (aka K, vitamin K, special K) OD:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Tachycardia/hypertension
- N/V
- Visual disturbances/out of body experiences
Treatment of ketamine OD:
- Supportive
* *AVOID BZDs** d/t frequent co-ingestion
Treatment of cannibis OD:
- Tachycardia
- Nausea or “munchies”
- Anxiety/panic
- Conjunctival injection
- Psychosis/panic/hallucinations
What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS)
Syndrome r/t overuse which presents w/ cyclical vomiting, diffuse abd pain, relief w/ hot showers
Treatment of CHS:
- Capsaicin cream to affected areas
- Haloperidol (2nd line)
- IVF
AVOID OPIODS, REPEATED W/U (after diagnosis established)
Commonly abused inhalants:
- Halogenated hydrocarbons
- Metallic based paints
- Freon
- Butane lighter fluid
- Glue
S/Sx of inhalants OD:
- HA
- Dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Stupor/coma
- Respiratory distress
- Tachycardia & palpitations
- Myocardium sensitivity to catecholamines
Treatment of inhalation OD:
- High flow O2
- Fluids/pressure support
- Esmolol (tachy arrhythmia)
- BZDs (agitation)
- Assess for oral frostbite, high blood CO or MetHb