Clinical pharmacology of phencyclidine toxicity
American Journal of Psychiatry November 1, 1977 DOI: 10.1176/ajp.134.11.1234 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | diazepam |
| Topics | Mescaline |
| Keywords | Phencyclidine Diazepam Methaqualone Hallucinogen Pharmacology Anesthesia |
| Citations | 67 |
| Key findings | Phencyclidine intoxication typically requires only observation and diazepam for short-duration cases, but prolonged behavioral disturbances, exacerbation of thought disorders, and serious medical complications are common. |
Abstract
Phencyclidine appears to be unique in action compared with other psychedelic drugs, and its effects are less dependent upon the individual's personality than are the effects of LSD or mescaline. The authors discuss the sensory, psychological, and behavioral symptoms of phencyclidine intoxication. Most cases are of short duration and the only treatment necessary may be observation together with minimal stimulation and diazepam. However, prolonged and severe behavioral disturbances, exaggeration of preexisting thought disorder, and serious medical complications commonly occur and must be considered in the treatment plan.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on mescaline, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study of a New Schizophrenomimetic Drug—Sernyl | 1959 | Review | |
| Hallucinogens and Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor-Mediated Signaling Pathways | 2017 | Review | |
| Hallucinogens in Mental Health: Preclinical and Clinical Studies on LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine | 2020 | Review | |
| Legal highs: staying on top of the flood of novel psychoactive substances | 2015 | Review | |
| Psychedelic Drugs in Biomedicine | 2017 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Qualitative and quantitative in silico toxicity profiling of "angel dust": phencyclidine (PCP) analogues as new psychoactive substances (3-HO-PCP, 3-MeO-PCP, 4-MeO-PCP, 3-HO-PCE, 3-MeO-PCE, 4-MeO-PCE). Archives of Toxicology December 8, 2025
- Phencyclidine-Based New Psychoactive Substances. Handbook of experimental pharmacology 2018
- The behavioral and neurochemical effects of phencyclidine in humans and animals: some implications for modeling psychosis. Behavioural Brain Research 1996
- Clinical aspects of phencyclidine (PCP). International Journal of the Addictions January 1987
- The PCP epidemic: a critical review. International Journal of the Addictions October 1982
and 3 more in the library
Cites 3
- Study of a New Schizophrenomimetic Drug—Sernyl Archives of Neurology And Psychiatry March 1, 1959
- Comparison of phencyclidine hydrochloride (Sernyl) with other drugs. Simulation of schizophrenic performance with phencyclidine hydrochloride (Sernyl), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), and amobarbital (Amytal) sodium; II. Symbolic and sequential thinking. Archives of General Psychiatry May 1, 1962
- Observations on the Action of Sernyl — A New Psychotropic Drug Canadian Psychiatric Association Journal June 1, 1961