Emergencies associated with the consumption of designer drugs, hallucinogens and amphetamines treated at 15 Spanish hospitals in 1994. Work Group on the Study of Emergencies due to Psychostimulants
Rodríguez Arenas, M.A.; Barrio Anta, G.; de la Fuente de Hoz, L.; Royuela, L.
Revista Clinica Espanola 197(12): 804-809
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-2565 PMID: 9477670 Document Number: 481943
The clinical records of patients attended at emergency hospitals in fifteen hospitals in Madrid, Valencia and Gran Canaria during 1994 were retrospectively analyzed. Seventy-three emergencies related to the consumption of design drugs, hallucinogens or amphetamines (100 times lower than because of opiates or cocaine) were recorded. Apart from the responsible drug for the emergency visit, in most cases the usual consumption of other substances was mentioned. Acute psychopathological reactions predominated. Three patients were admitted and five were derived to other hospitals; the remaining patients improved and were discharged. The number of emergencies on account of these drugs is relatively low, with a proportion of less than one in 10,000 emergencies attended in these areas and might not radically change if the current predominant consumption pattern is maintained.