[Poisoning by phenylpropanolamine (Rinexin)--an alpha adrenergic receptor agonist]

The incidence of suicide is increasing, the most common form being intoxication by drugs. It is well known that young cocaine abusers, with no cardiovascular disease, may suffer from acute chest pain due to arterial coronary spasm or myocardial infarction. Adrenoceptor stimulating drugs will give the same symptoms and should be considered as a possible cause of the pain in young intoxicated patients with no history of drug abuse or cardiovascular disease. A case is presented.