[Torsade de pointes following repeated massive loperamide ingestions]. / Livsfarligt missbruk av receptfria diarréläkemedlet loperamid.

The anti-diarrheal drug loperamide is a mu-opioid agonist with poor systemic bioavailability at standard doses. However, at very high doses bioavailability increases, due to saturation of P-glycoprotein and first-pass metabolism, leading both to opioid effects on the central nervous system and possible systemic side effects. There have been several reports in the literature recently regarding life-threatening cardiovascular symptoms after longstanding daily intake of massive loperamide doses. We hereby describe a patient with syncope who displayed wide QRS complexes and prolonged QTc intervals on ECG upon arrival to hospital. The patient developed typical bursts of torsade de pointes during a prolonged hospital course.

Adverse events related to the new psychoactive substance 3-fluorophenmetrazine - results from the Swedish STRIDA project.

BACKGROUND: New psychoactive substances (NPS) are often poorly pharmacologically documented and the production is unregulated, implying high risks for toxic side effects. This report from the STRIDA project describes analytically confirmed non-fatal intoxications involving the phenmetrazine analogue 3-fluorophenmetrazine (3-FPM). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Observational case series of patients with suspected acute NPS exposure requiring hospital care. Blood and urine samples were collected from patients presenting in emergency departments (ED) or intensive care units (ICU), after consultation with the Swedish Poisons Information Centre (PIC). Laboratory analysis was performed by multi-component liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Clinical data were collected during PIC consultations and retrieved from medical records. RESULTS: From November 2014 to October 2015, eight cases were registered as 3-FPM or "phenmetrazine" intoxications at the PIC after consultation. During the same period, analysis of STRIDA project samples confirmed 3-FPM use in a total of 19 patients (84% men) aged 22-54 (median 30) years. 3-FPM was detected in 15 out of 19 serum (2.7-1416 ng/mL) and in 14 out of 14 urine (1.0-6857 µg/mmol creatinine) samples. All patients were also tested positive for other psychoactive substances, with benzodiazepines being most common (57% of the cases). Ten patients were monitored in the ED for <4 h, while six needed ICU monitoring of which five were graded as severe intoxications (Poisoning Severity Score 3). Prominent clinical signs were tachycardia (47%), depressed consciousness (42%), agitation/anxiety (37%), delirium (37%), dilated pupils (26%), and seizures (16%). All patients survived. CONCLUSION: In 19 patients testing positive for 3-FPM, a high incidence of severe clinical features was demonstrated. However, as all patients had also used other psychoactive substances, it was difficult to identify a unique toxidrome for 3-FPM. The results further showed that many 3-FPM intoxications would have been missed, if relying solely on information from PIC consultations. These results emphasize the importance of performing bioanalytical investigation in cases of suspected NPS intoxication.

["Spice"--synthetic cannabinoids with dangerous effects]. / ¼Spice« - syntetiska kannabinoider med riskabla effekter - Fall av akut njursvikt och cerebral ischemi med stroke har rapporterats.

Synthetic cannabinoids are a large group of chemicals functionally related to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in Cannabis sativa. These compounds are full agonists on cannabinoid receptors, therefore more potent than THC. Products marketed over the Internet intended for abuse usually consist of dried inert plant material sprayed with different kinds of cannabinoids. Smoking is the most common route of administration. In Sweden commercially available products are usually labeled ¼spice«. A case concerning a young male with convulsions and acute kidney failure requiring temporary dialysis is presented. Other reported serious effects of this group of substances are acute psychosis, unconsciousness, cardiac ischemia, seizures and stroke. The vendors are very aware of the legal situation in each country and adjust their supply according to current narcotics classifications. New, previously unknown cannabinoids are constantly appearing on the market.