Toxicity, Hallucinogens - PCP Follow-up

  • Author: Stephan Brenner, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Timothy E Corden, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 14, 2009
 

Further Inpatient Care

  • Admit the patient who has ingested phenylcyclohexyl piperidine (PCP), also known as phencyclidine, to an ICU if evidence of hyperthermia, seizure activity, or rhabdomyolysis is present.
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Further Outpatient Care

  • Refer the patient for drug rehabilitation.
  • Because of its long-lasting side effect of inducing or unmasking psychopathologic symptoms, continued outpatient therapy including prolonged use of tranquilizers may be necessary for patients after PCP intoxication.[21]
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Complications

  • The usual street dose of PCP is 1-6 mg and results in mild intoxication. Larger ingestions (6-10 mg) can cause toxic psychoses and signs of sympathetic hyperactivity, including hypertension, rigidity, hyperthermia, tachycardia, and seizure. Very large doses (≥ 200 mg) can result in death. Deaths from the direct effects of PCP intoxication are related to hyperthermia, renal failure, DIC, or rhabdomyolysis.
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Patient Education

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Stephan Brenner, MD, MPH  Resident Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Bill Dribben, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine

Bill Dribben, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Halim Hennes, MD  MS, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Research Director, Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin

Halim Hennes, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey R Tucker, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Connecticut and Connecticut Children's Medical Center

Disclosure: Merck Salary Employment

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP  Consulting Staff, Freeman Pediatric Care, Freeman Health System

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Osteopathy, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Timothy E Corden, MD  Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Co-Director, Policy Core, Injury Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin; Associate Director, PICU, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin

Timothy E Corden, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Phi Beta Kappa, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and Wisconsin Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Phenylcyclohexyl piperidine (PCP), also known as phencyclidine, in tablet form. Image courtesy of the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
 
 
 
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