Toxicology Emergencies Flashcards
What is addiction?
Compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences
What is tolerance?
Diminished response to drug secondary to repeat use
What is dependence?
Adapted physiologic state d/t recurrent exposure to substance (results in withdrawal if ceased)
What does “sola dosis facit venenum” mean?
The dose makes the poison
-Paracelsus
Adage indicating basic principle of toxicology
Which drugs are opiates?
Heroin, Codeine, Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco), Oxycodone (Percocet, Oxycontin), Morphine, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), Fentanyl, Duragesic, Methadone
What is heroin derived from?
Opium poppy
Common street names of heroin?
H, smack, boy, horse, brown, black, tar
Pathophys of heroin?
Introduced to blood stream –> converted to morphine by enzymes –> binds to opiate R’s in reward pathway –> stimulates dopamine release & pain pathway
Onset of heroin?
Seconds to minutes
Duration of heroin?
2-6 hrs
Heroin methods of use?
Injection, smoking, snorting
Effects of heroin?
Acute CNS & respiratory depression, constricted ‘pinpoint’ pupils, nausea
Treatment of heroin overdose?
-Acute OD: Narcan
-Observation to make sure long acting narcotic not involved
-Abscesses may need drainage
-Consider endocarditis
What is naloxone (narcan)?
Competitive opioid antagonist, blocking all opioid receptors
ROA of naloxone?
IV, IM, SC, endotracheal
Usual starting dose of naloxone?
0.4mg
(repeat doses of 0.4 mg/hr may be necessary)
Duration of naloxone?
30-60 min
What may narcan induce?
Vomiting and agitation
What is speedballing?
Simultaneous IV injection of heroin and cocaine
Common prescription opiates of abuse?
Vicodin (Hydrocodone), Percocet (Oxycodone), Fentanyl
Signs someone is abusing prescription meds?
May request pure forms or report allergy to tylenol/NSAIDs
Who may have non-intentional OD’s secondary to uncontrolled pain or poor liver/renal function?
All patients but especially elderly
Prescription opiate OD is ________ in onset and lasts _________
slower in onset and lasts longer
S/Sx of opiate withdrawal?
Mildly increasing temp, yawning, rhinorrhea, lacrimation, midriasis, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, myalgia, arthralgia, irritability
Treatment for opiate withdrawal?
-Clonidine (Catapres) 0.1-0.2mg PO or transderm patch x1wk prn
*hold for SBP <150
-Dicyclomine (Bentyl) 20mg q6hr prn cramps
-Loperomide (Imodium) 2mg q6hr prn diarrhea
-Hydroxyzine HCl (Atarax) 50mg q6hr prn anxiety/sleep
-Ibuprofen 600mg q6hrs prn pain
-Methadone program may be needed for long tx
Cocaine is a naturally derived CNS stimulant extracted/refined from what?
Coca plant
Common street names of cocaine?
Crack, freebase, coke, blow, rock, crank
Pathophys of cocaine?
Binds w/ Na+ channel –> inhibits Na+ conduction/blocks ion conduction w/in myocardial and nerve cells
Inhibits monoamine reuptake –> enhanced action of NE, Epi, Dopamine
Onset of cocaine?
seconds to min
Duration of cocaine?
20-40 min
Cocaine methods of use?
Snorting MC, PO, intranasal, IV, smoking
Effects of cocaine?
Euphoria, paranoia, inc. sexual stim, inc. energy, HTN, tachycardia, coronary artery vasospasm, ruptured AAA, cerebral bleed/infarct, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, pneumopericardium, bullous emphysema, pulm edema, bronchospasm, alveolar hemorrhage, pneumonitis, bronciolitis, pulm HTN
EKG of someone who is using cocaine may show what?
Prolonged QRS, QT & QTc intervals, STEMI, Vtach/Vfib
Treatment for cocaine overdose?
-Benzodiazepines (Lorazepam- Ativan) 1-3mg IV prn
-IV fluids replace volume loss or if rhabdo
-BP management: Nitroprusside, Nitroglycerin, Phentolamine (AVOID BB d/t unopposed a-adrenergic activity)
-Long term tx w/ support networks/therapy
Can you reverse cocaine with narcan?
No, cannot reverse like opioids
Is there are true withdrawal with cocaine?
No, more of a hangover (requires rest/time)
What is synthetic marijuana marked as OTC?
Incense, potpourri
Common street names of synthetic marijuana?
Spice, K2, fake weed, Yucatan Fire, Skunk, Moon rocks
Pathophys of synthetic marijuana?
Synthesized compounds bind more strongly to THC R’s than regular marijuana –> more powerful, unpredictable, dangerous effect
Onset of synthetic marijuana?
15-30 min
Duration of synthetic marijuana?
2-6 hrs
Effects of synthetic marijuana?
Severe agitation/anxiety, fast/racing heart, high BP, N/V, intense hallucinations/psychotic episodes, suicidal/harmful thoughts and actions, linked to development of pneumonia
Treatment for synthetic marijuana?
Benzodiazepines (Ativan), may need large doses, wait it out
What are bath salts derived from?
Khat plant
What are bath salts marketed as?
“bath salts”, plant fertilizer, insect repellent, pond cleaners, vacuum fresheners
Street names for bath salts?
Vanilla sky, Cloud nine, Ivory wave, Aura, Blizzard, Scarface
Pathophys of bath salts?
Active chemical acts on monamine NTs as dopamine-NE reuptake inibitors –> inc. in serotonin (& to lesser extent - Dopamine)
Bath salts methods of use?
Snorted MC, ingestion, injecting, smoking, rectal
Onset of bath salts?
30-90 min
Duration of bath salts?
2-4 hrs
Effects of bath salts?
Excited delirium, tachycardia, HTN, CP, paranoia, hallucinations, panic attacks, extreme agitation, rhabdo/renal failure
Bath salts are not detected by what?
DAU-8
Treatment for bath salt use?
Benzodiazepines (Ativan), may require larger dosing, wait it out
What are amphetamines?
Pharmaceuticals originally used as OTC bronchodilator, later for narcolepsy, Parkinsons, depression, weight loss (and used by soldiers, truck drivers, students, athletes)
Today used most for ADHD/ADD (Adderall)
Street names for amphetamines?
Crystal meth, speed, crank, ice, glass
Pathophys of amphetamines?
Stimulate release of dopamine and serotonin –> dopamine stores depleted resulting in depression/need for re-use
*long term use destroys dopamine & serotonin brain cells
Amphetamines methods of use?
IV, smoking, snorting, pill abuse (Adderall)
Onset of amphetamines?
quick high that lasts 5-30 min
Duration of amphetamines?
6-12 hrs
Effects of amphetamines?
Euphoria, inc. activity, inc BP/RR, hyperthermia, insomnia, unpredictable behavior, N/V, cracked teeth, sores, skin infections, seizures, sudden death
Long term: Parkinson’s, Alzheimers-like sx, paranoia, CVA
Treatment for amphetamines?
-Haloperidol (Haldol) 5-10mg IM for agitation
-Lorazepam (Ativan) 1-4mg IM/IV for agitation or seizure
-Labetalol 20mg IV for HTN/tachycardia q10min prn
What did CNS depressants have early use in?
Medical anesthetics, ETOH, withdrawal, narcolepsy