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Respiratory failure in confirmed synthetic cannabinoid overdose
Alex F Manini1, Alex J Krotulski2, Jonathan Schimmel1
1Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|September 9, 2021
Summary
Synthetic cannabinoid (SC) overdose is linked to acute respiratory failure in emergency department patients. This highlights the critical risk of SCs, necessitating further research into their dangerous effects.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) represent a diverse group of abused substances.
- Acute respiratory failure is a severe complication associated with drug overdose.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of acute respiratory failure in emergency department patients with confirmed SC exposure.
- To compare the risk of respiratory failure in SC overdose versus non-SC overdose cases.
Main Methods:
- An observational cohort study of adult patients with suspected cannabinoid overdose was conducted between 2015 and 2020.
- Serum samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry to confirm SC exposure.
- Acute respiratory failure was the primary outcome measured.
Main Results:
- Out of 83 patients, 29 had confirmed SC overdoses, with 5F-MDMB-PICA and its metabolite being the most prevalent.
- The overall incidence of acute respiratory failure was 31.3%.
- Confirmed SC overdose was significantly associated with a higher incidence of respiratory failure (25.0%) compared to non-SC overdose (4.2%, p=0.05).
Conclusions:
- Synthetic cannabinoids are significantly associated with acute respiratory failure.
- Respiratory depression is a life-threatening adverse effect of SC overdose.
- Further research is warranted to understand and mitigate the risks associated with SCs.
Keywords:
SCRAsSynthetic cannabinoidsnaloxonerespiratory failuresynthetic cannabinoid receptor agonistsMore Related Videos
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