Phencyclidine. Nine cases of poisoning.
C B Liden, F H Lovejoy, C E Costello
JAMA November 3, 1975 DOI: 10.1001/jama.234.5.513 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 9 |
| Population | Patients with phencyclidine hydrochloride poisoning |
| Interventions | Emetics or lavage hydration diazepam psychiatric intervention |
| Key findings | In nine cases of phencyclidine hydrochloride poisoning, early signs included drowsiness, nystagmus, miotic pupils, blood pressure elevation, increased deep tendon reflexes, ataxia, anxiety, and agitation, while severe cases showed seizures, spasticity, opisthotonos, deep coma, and respiratory depression. Treatment with emetics or lavage, hydration, a quiet environment, and diazepam for spasticity, agitation, and ocular symptoms was described, with psychiatric intervention deferred until patients were stable. |
Abstract
In nine cases of phencyclidine hydrochloride poisoning, early signs of overdose included drowsiness, nystagmus, miotic pupils, blood pressure elevation, increased deep tendon reflexes, ataxia, anxiety, and agitation. In more severe cases, seizures, spasticity, and opisthotonos were seen in addition to deep coma and respiratory depression. Treatment included removal by emetics or lavage, hydration, and a quiet, reassuring environment. Spasticity, agitation, and ocular manifestions responded to diazepam. Psychiatric intervention was instituted after the patients were stable and no longer agitated.