Observations placeholder
Clinical review: Major consequences of illicit drug consumption
Identifier
006854
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Crit Care. 2008;12(1):202. doi: 10.1186/cc6166. Epub 2008 Jan 8. Clinical review: Major consequences of illicit drug consumption. Devlin RJ, Henry JA.
Because illicit drugs are now widely consumed, every doctor needs to know their acute medical consequences and complications. Here, we review the problems associated with the different drugs from a systems-based viewpoint. Apart from the
- respiratory depressant effect of opioids,
- crack cocaine is the most common cause of respiratory complications, mainly linked with its mode of use, with airway burns, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and lung syndromes being well-recognised sequelae.
- Because of its marked cardiovascular effects, cocaine is also a major cause of coronary syndromes and myocardial infarction.
- Amphetamines may produce similar effects less commonly.
- Hyperthermia may occur with cocaine toxicity or with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) due to exertion or from serotonin syndrome.
- Cerebral haemorrhage may result from the use of amphetamines or cocaine.
- Hallucinations may follow consumption of LSD, amphetamines, or cocaine.
- MDMA is a major cause of acute severe hyponatraemia and also has been linked with hepatic syndromes.
PMID: 18279535
The source of the experience
PubMedConcepts, symbols and science items
Concepts
Symbols
Science Items
Activities and commonsteps
Activities
Overloads
Amphetamines and stimulantsBenzodiazepines
Cocaine
Depression
Fever and hyperthermia
GHB
Heart failure and coronary heart disease
Liver disease
LSD
Lung disease
MDMA
Sodium imbalance
Taking drugs