Intoxication with novel recreational drugs poses significant challenge for medical staff due to diagnostic difficulties, complex clinical pattern, resulting from polyethiology of poisoning and potential risk of life threatening complications.
Objectives: Description of clinical pattern novel drug intoxication.
Methods: retrospective review of medical records patients hospitalized in the Toxicology Unit (TU) with diagnosis of intoxication with novel recreational drugs.
Results: During the period from 2008-2010--431 patients were admitted to TU with mentioned above diagnosis. 159 (36.9%) patients were positive for ethanol with its average concentration in blood 150 mg%. Presence of other substances like amphetamine, cannabinoids, atropine, ephedrine, carbamazepine, benzodiazepines and dextrometorphan was confirmed. The most frequent clinical symptoms observed on admission were: anxiety, agitation, complaints associated with circulatory system and vertigo Average pulse rate and both: diastolic and systolic pressure were within normal limits, however authors noted slight tendency toward tachycardia. One patients died due to multiorgan failure. Average period of hospitalization amounted 2.24 days. Co-poisoning with ethanol was associated with higher frequency of circulatory system disturbances.
Results: Clinical pattern of poisoning with novel drugs could partially correspond with mild sympathomime. tic syndrome.