Emergency management of acute phencyclidine intoxication.
R T Rappolt, G R Gay, R D Farris
JACEP February 1979 DOI: 10.1016/s0361-1124(79)80040-4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Practical guide or manual Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | PCP intoxication is described as producing clinical signs that can be grouped into three dose-related stages, with signs sometimes waxing and waning between stages. The authors propose stage-specific treatment protocols combining drug therapy with clinical and psychological supportive measures. |
Abstract
Phencyclidine (PCP) is a potent sympathomimetic and hallucinogenic dissociative anesthetic agent. As an abused street drug, it is most often smoked, thus allowing the user to titrate the dose. The clinical signs of PCP intoxication can be viewed in three dose-related stages, but waxing and waning of signs through the three stages is not uncommon. Treatment protocols for each stage address drug therapy and both clinical and psychological supportive measures.