Designer drugs' medical injury: "In the majority of cases, care is largely supportive..."

Hum Exp Toxicol. 2014 Feb 5. [Epub ahead of print]

The evolving high: New designer drugs of abuse.

Pourmand A1, Armstrong P, Mazer-Amirshahi M, Shokoohi H.

Author information

• 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.

Abstract

Over the past decade, emerging drugs of abuse and synthetic derivatives of more traditional agents have flooded the market. While Europe was the first to experience a surge in the use of drugs such as synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids, poison centers throughout the United States have seen a dramatic rise in calls related to these new designer drugs of abuse. In the majority of cases, care is largely supportive but significant medical and traumatic complications may occur. Providers must be aware of the ever-changing trends in abuse, so that they may optimally care for poisoned patients.