["Legal highs" (new psychoactive substances) : What does the anesthesiologist need to know?]

Anaesthesist. 2020 Aug;69(8):599-608. doi: 10.1007/s00101-020-00790-x.
[Article in German]

Abstract

In recent years, the social media, the press and the internet have reported more about the topic of "legal highs" and new psychoactive substances (NPS). The use of these drugs is accompanied by a serious risk of undesired side effects, intoxication and even death. The often unknown chemical composition, unspecific clinical presentations and lack of quickly available routine diagnostic tests are aggravating factors in this situation. For anesthesiologists, knowledge of this dangerous substance class plays an important role in the field of preclinical treatment, perioperative management and intensive medical care.

Keywords: Addiction; Bath salts; Drugs; Intoxication; Serotonin syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anesthesiologists*
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs / adverse effects*
  • Illicit Drugs / classification*
  • Male
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Illicit Drugs