Case Series of Synthetic Cannabinoid Intoxication from One Toxicology Center

• Published in: The western journal of emergency medicine Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 290 - 294
• Main Authors: Katz, Kenneth D, Leonetti, Adam L, Bailey, Blake C, Surmaitis, Ryan M, Eustice, Eric R, Kacinko, Sherri, Wheatley, Scott M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine 01-05-2016; eScholarship Publishing, University of California
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Behavioral Health; Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists - poisoning; Cannabinoids - poisoning; Female; Fever - chemically induced; Fever - therapy; Humans; Indazoles - poisoning; Male; Middle Aged; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Product Packaging; Public Health; Seizures - chemically induced; Seizures - therapy; Street Drugs - poisoning; Substance-Related Disorders; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1936-900X; 1936-9018
• DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2016.2.29519

Synthetic cannabinoid use has risen at alarming rates. This case series describes 11 patients exposed to the synthetic cannabinoid, MAB-CHMINACA who presented to an emergency department with life-threatening toxicity including obtundation, severe agitation, seizures and death. All patients required sedatives for agitation, nine required endotracheal intubation, three experienced seizures, and one developed hyperthermia. One developed anoxic brain injury, rhabdomyolysis and died. A significant number were pediatric patients. The mainstay of treatment was aggressive sedation and respiratory support. Synthetic cannabinoids pose a major public health risk. Emergency physicians must be aware of their clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment.