“Bath Salts” Intoxication

Abstract

To the Editor: The abuse of psychoactive ?bath salts? (PABS) has become commonplace, and patients with PABS overdoses are presenting to emergency departments with increasing frequency.1 The primary ingredient of the synthetic designer drugs in these bath salts, which are not related to any hygiene product, is methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). MDPV is structurally related to pyrovalerone and α-pyrrolidinophenone compounds that inhibit norepinephrine?dopamine reuptake and thus act as central nervous system stimulants.2,3 Despite growing efforts to ban these products through legislation, PABS often skirt substance-control laws and are readily available at low cost. These products are easily obtained over the Internet . . . To the Editor: The abuse of psychoactive ?bath salts? (PABS) has become commonplace, and patients with PABS overdoses are presenting to emergency departments with increasing frequency.1 The primary ingredient of the synthetic designer drugs in these bath salts, which are not related to any hygiene product, is methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). MDPV is structurally related to pyrovalerone and α-pyrrolidinophenone compounds that inhibit norepinephrine?dopamine reuptake and thus act as central nervous system stimulants.2,3 Despite growing efforts to ban these products through legislation, PABS often skirt substance-control laws and are readily available at low cost. These products are easily obtained over the Internet . . .