ELECTRONIC CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR
SPECIALISTS IN POISON INFORMATION

Module V -  A Review of Contemporary Drugs of Abuse

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the American Association of Poison Control Center’s electronic continuing education program for Specialists in Poison Information.  This fourteen day module will provide a review of several contemporary drugs of abuse.  This includes older agents such as cocaine as well as the newer gamma-hydroxybutyrate.
 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

In regard to contemporary drugs of abuse, upon completion of this electronic continuing education module the participant will be able to:

1. Describe their mechanism of toxicity

2. Describe their pharmacokinetic characteristics

3. Discuss their mechanism of toxicity and selected clinical features.

4. Discuss the treatment of selected clinical features
 

AUTHOR

Daniel J. Cobaugh, PharmD

REVIEW PANEL

Peter Ciancaglini, PharmD
Prashant Joshi, MD
Ruth Lawrence, MD
Howard Mofenson, MD
Christine Stork, PharmD
Desiree Voorhies, RN, MEd
Paul Wax, MD
 

REFERENCES

Albertson TE, Marelich GP, Tharratt RS.  Cocaine, in Haddad L, Shannon, Winchester J (eds): Poisoning and Drug Overdose, ed 3.  Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1998:542-551.

Chin RL, Sporer KA, Cullison B, et al.  Clinical course of gamma-hydroxybutyrate over dose.  Ann Emerg Med 1998;31:716-722.

Cobaugh DJ, Schneider SM, Benitez JG, Donahoe MP.  Cocaine balloon aspiration:  successful removal with bronchoscopy.  Am J Emerg Med 1997;15:544-546.

Li J, Stokes SA, Woeckener A.  A tale of novel intoxication: a review of the effects of gamma-hydroxbutyric acid with recommendations for management.  Ann Emerg Med 1997;31:729-736.

Tunnicliff G.  Gamma-hydroxybutyrate.  J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1997;35:581-590.

McKinney PE.  Designer drugs, in Haddad L,  Shannon M, Winchester J (eds):  Poisoning and Drug Overdose, ed 3.  Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1998:569-580.

Waltzman M.  Flunitrazepam.  Clinical Toxicology Review 1998;20:1-2.