Bath salts toxicity
Background
- Found in herbal products sold under guise of "not for human consumption"
- May be found under brand name Aura, Ivory wave, Vanilla sky
- Active ingredients vary; often contain methylenedioxyprovalerone (MDPV) or mephedrone
- Similar effects to Ecstasy (MDMA), cocaine, methamphetamines
Hallucinogen, designer drug, and club drug toxicities
- Serotonin-Like Agents
- Lysergic acid diethylamide toxicity (LSD)
- Psilocybin toxicity ("magic mushrooms")
- N,N-Dimethyltryptamine toxicity (DMT)
- 5-methoxy- dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT)
- 25C-NBOMe toxicity
- Enactogens
- Designer amphetamines
- Bath salts toxicity
- Ecstasy (MDMA) toxicity
- Mescaline toxicity (peyote)
- Synthetic cannabinoid toxicity
- Dissociative Agents
- Plant-based Hallucinogenics
- Marijuana toxicity
- Salvia toxicity
- Absinthe toxicity
- Isoxazole Mushrooms
- Hawaiian baby woodrose (Argyreia nervosa)
- Hawaiian woodrose (Merremia tuberosa)
- Morning glory (Ipomoea violacea)
- Olili- uqui (Rivea corymbosa)
Clinical Features
- Sympathomimetic toxidrome
- Tachycardia
- Hypertension
- Agitation
- Paranoia
- Hyperthermia
- Hallucinations
- Psychomotor agitation
Differential Diagnosis
Sympathomimetic toxicities
- Cocaine toxicity
- Amphetamine toxicity
- Synthetic cathinone toxicity (khat)
- Ketamine
- Ecstasy (MDMA) toxicity
- Synthetic cannabinoid toxicity
- Bath salts toxicity
Drugs of abuse
- 25C-NBOMe
- Alcohol
- Amphetamines
- Bath salts
- Cocaine
- Difluoroethane
- Ecstasy
- Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
- Heroin
- Inhalant abuse
- Hydrocarbon toxicity
- Difluoroethane (electronics duster)
- Marijuana
- Kratom
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Psilocybin ("magic mushrooms")
- Synthetic cannabinoids
- Chloral hydrate
- Body packing
Evaluation
Work-Up
- Fingerstick glucose
- Complete metabolic panel
- Coags
- CK
- Urine tox screen not helpful, usually negative
Diagnosis
- Diagnosis is based on history and physical exam
Toxidrome Chart
| Finding | Cholinergic | Anticholinergic | Sympathomimetic | Sympatholytic^ | Sedative/Hypnotic |
| Example | Organophosphates | TCAs | Cocaine | Clonidine | ETOH |
| Temp | Nl | Nl / ↑ | Nl / ↑ | Nl / ↓ | Nl / ↓ |
| RR | Variable | Nl / ↓ | Variable | Nl / ↓ | Nl / ↓ |
| HR | Variable | ↑ | ↑ (sig) | Nl / ↓ | Nl / ↓ |
| BP | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | Nl / ↓ | Nl / ↓ |
| LOC | Nl / Lethargic | Nl, agitated, psychotic, comatose | Nl, agitated, psychotic | Nl, Lethargic, or Comatose | Nl, Lethargic, or Comatose |
| Pupils | Variable | Mydriatic | Mydriatic | Nl / Miotic | |
| Motor | Fasciculations, Flacid Paralysis | Nl | Nl / Agitated | Nl | |
| Skin | Sweating (sig) | Hot, dry | Sweating | Dry | |
| Lungs | Bronchospasm / rhinorrhea | Nl | Nl | Nl | |
| Bowel Sounds | Hyperactive (SLUDGE) | ↓ / Absent | Nl / ↓ | Nl / ↓ |
- ^Consider Sympatholytic when looking at Sedative OD or someone who doesn't respond to Narcan
- Withdrawal from substances have the opposite effect
Management
- Benzodiazepines for agitation
- Rapid cooling for hyperthermia
- Paralyze if hyperthermia uncontrolled (avoid Succinylcholine due to hyperkalemia)
- IV hydration
- Monitor urine output
Contra-indicated
- Do not use butyrophenones (e.g. Haldol) or second gen antipsychotic (e.g. Geodon) as first line agents
- They interfere with heat dissipation, lower seizure threshold, may prolong QTc
Disposition
Admission
- Admit for lab abnormalities or persistent AMS
Discharge
- Discharge after observation period if AMS and sympathomimetic symptoms resolve with out end-organ damage
- MDPV has an estimated 6-8 hour duration of action, but may vary. Consider consult with poison control prior to discharge.
Complications
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Cardiomyopathy
- Valvular heart disease
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Aortic dissection
- Acute tubular necrosis
See Also
External Links
References
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