Toxicities associated with NBOMe ingestion-a novel class of potent hallucinogens: a review of the literature.

A systematic review of 20 patients with confirmed NBOMe ingestion found that these synthetic hallucinogens cause severe toxicity. 25I-NBOMe was the most common analogue. Fatalities occurred in 3 cases (15%). Common adverse effects included agitation (85%), tachycardia (85%), hypertension (65%), and seizures (40%). Many patients (40%) required intensive care unit admission. Laboratory abnormalities such as elevated creatinine kinase (45%) were frequent. Clinicians should suspect NBOMe ingestion in patients who recently used hallucinogens.

Study at a glance

Abstract

A new class of synthetic hallucinogens called NBOMe has emerged as drugs of abuse. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of published reports of toxicities associated with NBOMe ingestion. We searched PubMed for relevant English-language citations that described adverse effects from analytically confirmed human NBOMe ingestion. Demographic and clinical data were extracted. A total of 10 citations met the criteria for inclusion, representing 20 individual patients. 25I-NBOMe was the most common analogue identified, followed by 25B-NBOMe and 25C-NBOMe. Fatalities were reported in 3 (15%) cases. Of all the patients, 7 (35%) were discharged after a period of observation, whereas 8 (40.0%) required admission to an intensive care unit. The most common adverse effects were agitation (85.0%), tachycardia (85.0%), and hypertension (65.0%). Seizures were reported in 8 (40.0%) patients. The most common abnormalities reported on laboratory tests were elevated level of creatinine kinase (45.0%), leukocytosis (25.0%), and hyperglycemia (20.0%). NBOMe ingestion is associated with severe adverse effects. Clinicians need to have a high index of suspicion for NBOMe ingestion in patients reporting the recent use of hallucinogens.