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“Bath salts” intoxication: a new recreational drug that presents with a familiar toxidrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 March 2015

Christine Hall ,
Christopher Heyd ,
Chris Butler  and
Mark Yarema
Christine Hall*
Affiliation:
Vancouver Island Health Authority, Victoria, BC; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; and the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
Christopher Heyd
Affiliation:
Island Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Chris Butler
Affiliation:
Calgary Police Service, Calgary, AB
Mark Yarema
Affiliation:
Poison and Drug Information Service, Alberta Health Services; the Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
*
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Royal Jubilee Hospital, 1952 Bay Street, Victoria, BC V8R 1J8;Christine.Hall@viha.ca

Abstract

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It is important for emergency physicians to be aware of new psychoactive agents being used as recreational drugs. “Bath salts,” which include 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone, and methylone, are the newest recreational stimulants to appear in Canada. There are currently more than 12 synthetic cathinones marketed as bath salts and used with increasing frequency recreationally. Although these drugs are now illegal in Canada, they are widely available online. We present a case report and discuss bath salts intoxication and its anticipated sympathomimetic toxidrome, treatment strategies, and toxicologic analysis, Treatment should not rely on laboratory confirmation. Since the laboratory identification of such drugs varies by institution and toxicologic assay, physicians should not misconstrue a negative toxicology screen as evidence of no exposure to synthetic cathinones. Illicit bath salts represent an increasing public health concern that involves risk to the user, prehospital personnel, and health care providers.

Keywords

bath saltsemergency3, 4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV)risktoxicologytoxidrometreatment
Type
Case Report • Rapport De Cas
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , March 2014 , pp. 171 - 176
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2014

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