NEUROPSYCHIATIC ADVERSE EFFECTS OF "PARTY DRUGS" .Aleem M A. Hakkim A M. BMJ 2017;356:j1195

BMJ

Analysis

To prohibit or regulate psychoactive substances: has New Zealand got the right approach?

BMJ 2017; 356 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j1195 (Published 17 March 2017)

Cite this as: BMJ 2017;356:j1195

Rapid response

Re: To prohibit or regulate psychoactive substances: has New Zealand got the right approach?

NEUROPSYCHIATIC ADVERSE EFFECTS OF "PARTY DRUGS"

There are many old and new psychoactive substances used as party drugs in recent days. They are used as single agent or along with many substances with or without alcohol.
Today consumption of these agents must be suspected in the differential diagnosis of psychiatric, neurological, cardiovascular, or metabolic disturbances of unknown origin in a young patients.

Users of psychoactive substances gets euphoria, increased drive, loquacity, a subjective need to move and act, lightening of mood, diminished hostility, clear thinking, sexual stimulation, and heightened perception of music . These agents are used orally intranasally, rectally, or intravenously . Substances in this group may induce a strong desire for further doses.

The adverse effects of these psychoactive substances are neurological psychiatric metabolic cardiovascular cutaneous gastrointestinal and pulmonary.

The neurological effects of psychoactive drugs are headache
mydriasis light-headedness
paresthesia
seizures dystonic movements tremor
amnesia dysgeusia
cerebral edema motor automatisms muscle spasm nystagmus
parkinsonism and stroke. The muscular effects are elevated CK level
rhabdomyolysis and
compartment syndrome.
Some time fever , bruxism
diaphoresis
hyperthermia
urinary disturbances and
unpleasant body odor can also occurs.

The psychiatric manifestations of psychoactive agents are agitation aggression hallucinations confusion anxiety
insomnia catatonia
anhedonia anorexia
depression increased libido injurious behavior panic attacks
self-injurious behavior
suicidality and psychosis

Competing interests: No competing interests

24 March 2017

M A Aleem

Neurologist

A M Hakkim

ABC Hospital

Annamalainagar Trichy 620018 Tamilnadu India

@drmaaleem