Acute Poisonings from Synthetic Cannabinoids — 50 U.S. Toxicology Investigators Consortium Registry Sites, 2010–2015

Abstract

© 2016, Cukurova Univ Tip Fakultesi Psikiyatri Anabilim Dali. All rights reserved. What is already known about this topic? Acute intoxications by synthetic cannabinoids appear to be increasing in the United States. Synthetic cannabinoids are two to 100 times more potent than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis; acute exposure is associated with a range of mild to severe neuropsychiatric, cardiovascular, renal, and other effects. What is added by this report? During 2010-2015, among 456 cases of synthetic cannabinoid intoxication among patients treated by U.S. medical toxicolo­gists, 277 (61%) had reports of synthetic cannabinoids as the sole toxicologic agent. Three deaths were recorded, one with synthetic cannabinoids given as the sole agent and two with multiple agent exposures. Synthetic cannabinoid poisonings increased in all U.S. Census regions. What are the implications for public health practice? The increase in acute synthetic cannabinoid poisonings underscores the importance of targeted prevention interventions and the need for education about the potentially life-threatening consequences of synthetic cannabinoid use.