Ketamine or Phencyclidine
JAMA November 11, 1974 DOI: 10.1001/jama.1974.03240060014014 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Letter to the editor Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ketamine Mescaline Psilocybin Esketamine |
| Keywords | Phencyclidine Hallucinogen Anesthesia Pharmacology |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key points | Phencyclidine is a potent hallucinogen and a major, frequently misrepresented component of street drugs. |
Abstract
To the Editor.— In a recent issue (229:763, 1974), Shaffer describes a series of cases characterized by anesthesia, analgesia, nystagmus, dizziness, diplopia, visual distortions, and psychosis. These findings were attributed to ketamine, a derivative of phencyclidine. Phencyclidine is a major component of street drug preparations.1In one series, phencyclidine was detected in 184 of 237 street drug samples.2In liquid form, phencyclidine is sprayed on marihuana, parsley, oregano, or other plant leaves and sold as "angel dust." As a powder, it is marketed as phencyclidine or "peace pills."3It is frequently sold as LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, cocaine, 3, 4 - methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), tetrahydrocannabinol, and other more "attractive" drugs. Or it may be mixed with these agents.2,3 Both ketamine and phencyclidine are sympathomimetic anesthetics.4However, phencyclidine is a much more potent hallucinogen.4-6 The abuse of these compounds is a massive and generally unrecognized problem. Recently, 41