Urinary acidifiers in phencyclidine detoxification.

Urinary acidification is widely used to increase the excretion rate of PCP in abusers. Various acidifying techniques were used and compared with regard to efficacy in lowering pH, side effects, and patient acceptability. On the basis of our findings and data from routine monitoring with test tapes, we would recommend the following acidifications procedures as efficacious and reasonably well tolerated: Ammonium chloride, 4 gm. per day, 1 gm. q.i.d., with sufficient water or cranberry juice. Lysine dihydrochloride, 6 gm. per day, 2 gm. t.i.d., with sufficient water or cranberry juice. Lysine hydrochloride, 8 gm. per day, 2 gm. q.i.d., with water or cranberry juice. Cranberry juice, 18 or more oz. per day alone, or plus lysine, ammonium chloride, or ascorbic acid.