1/24. Medical treatment of the adolescent drug abuser. An opportunity for rehabilitative intervention.Illnesses related to both the pharmacologic properties of abused substances and their methods of administration often bring the teenager to medical attention and may provide sufficient motivation for the adolescent to seek help beyond the acute problem. Successful treatment of an overdose reaction, an abstinence syndrome, or any other medical complication of drug abuse may give the physician a unique opportunity to begine further evalution for future care.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/24. Acute abstinence syndrome following abrupt cessation of long-term use of tramadol (Ultram): a case study.We report on a patient who had taken the centrally acting analgesic tramadol for over 1 year. The compound had proven to be sufficient to treat her painful episodes related to fibromyalgia. Due to lack of supply while being on a trip, intake of the drug was stopped abruptly, resulting in the development of classical abstinence-like symptoms within 1 week. Abstinence-like symptoms consisted of restlessness and insomnia for which the benzodiazepine lorazepam was given. Diarrhoea and abdominal cramps were treated with the peripherally active opioid loperamide, while bouts of cephalgia were treated with sumatriptan. Diffuse musculoskeletal-related pain and restless leg syndrome (RLS) were treated with dextromethorphan. All these different medications proved to be efficacious as they resulted in the cessation of symptoms. Within 1 week symptoms ceased and the patient regained her normal activities without any sequelae. Although tramadol is considered a non-habit- and non-dependence-forming analgesic, abstinence symptoms are likely to develop following abrupt cessation of intake, especially when the compound had been taken over 1 year. Therefore patients should be advised of such an effect whenever they decide to stop intake or their physician is planning to switch to another medication. To avoid abstinence-like symptoms doses should be slowly tapered down.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/24. Misuse and abuse of diazepam: an increasingly common medical problem.Misuse and abuse of diazepam among addiction-prone individuals is reported. The most common pattern of abuse appears to be periodic ingestion of 30 to 80 mg of diazepam in one dose, either alone or in conjunction with methadone or other narcotics. Two cases of physical dependency to diazepam have been observed. Many addict patients using diazepam are buying it on "the streets". All physicians should know that diazepam abuse and misuse is occurring, and careful attention should be given to prescribing, transporting and storing this drug.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/24. Transient diffuse cerebral hypoperfusion in Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT of the brain during withdrawal syndrome following acute barbiturate poisoning.A 29-y-old man had taken small daily doses of barbiturates as hypnotics (50 mg pentobarbital, 30 mg phenobarbital) for 4y with no evident intoxication. When he attempted suicide by ingestion of 15 g amobarbital, treatment with charcoal hemoperfusion resulted in rapid disappearance of drug from the blood. Generalized convulsions and delirium ensued; these were responsive to phenobarbital. An electroencephalogram (EEG) showed diffuse 5-Hz theta activity. Tc-99m hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime (HMPAO) single photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) imaging of the brain demonstrated a diffuse bilateral decrease in blood flow to the cerebral cortex. These investigations were performed interictally on day4 without sedative drugs, prior to initiation of anticonvulsants, and at a time when barbiturates were no longer detected in the serum. An EEG on day 15 no longer showed abnormal slowing. On the other hand, Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT of the brain demonstrated residual cerebral hypoperfusion on day 20, with nearly full recovery of cerebral perfusion on day 51. Barbiturate withdrawal syndrome is presumed to require a history of abuse; however in patients with a history of treatment with barbiturates physicians treating acute barbiturate poisoning should be alert for the possibility of barbiturate withdrawal syndrome even in the absence of barbiturate abuse.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/24. Intrathecal baclofen withdrawal mimicking sepsis.baclofen (Lioresal) is a drug of choice to treat spasticity and is increasingly being administered intrathecally via an implantable pump in cases refractory to oral therapy. Emergency physicians will likely treat patients with baclofen withdrawal or overdose as this treatment becomes more widespread. The syndrome of baclofen withdrawal presents with altered mental status, fever, tachycardia, hypertension or hypotension, seizures, and rebound spasticity, and may be fatal if not treated appropriately. baclofen withdrawal may mimic other diseases including sepsis, meningitis, autonomic dysreflexia, malignant hyperthermia, or neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Treatment consists of supportive care, reinstitution of baclofen, benzodiazepines, and diagnosis and eventual repair of intrathecal pump and catheter malfunction.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/24. carisoprodol withdrawal syndrome.A 43-year-old man with chronic back and shoulder pain was treated with hydrocodone. He began taking excessive amounts of the drug, so his physicians stopped prescribing it. The patient then obtained the muscle relaxant carisoprodol on his own from several sources. He was consuming up to 30 or more tablets/day (> or =10,500 mg/day) for several weeks, then abruptly stopped taking the drug. Within 48 hours he developed anxiety, tremors, muscle twitching, insomnia, auditory and visual hallucinations, and bizarre behavior. The symptoms intensified and peaked on the fourth day after carisoprodol cessation. The patient required brief treatment with olanzapine and tapering dosages of lorazepam while the symptoms gradually resolved. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of a withdrawal syndrome with carisoprodol. The symptoms most likely resulted because of accumulation of meprobamate, the active metabolite of carisoprodol in humans. Clinicians prescribing carisoprodol should be aware of the possibility for abuse or addiction. Further, we recommend that carisoprodol be designated a controlled substance at the federal level.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/24. Intrathecal baclofen overdose followed by withdrawal: clinical and EEG features.Intrathecal baclofen therapy is increasingly used to alleviate medically intractable spasticity in children with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, and generalized dystonia. Complications like overdose or withdrawal can occur and could be the result of pump malfunction (device-related) or refilling and programming mistakes (human errors). This report describes a case, with emphasis on electroencephalographic changes, of a 12-year old male on long-term intrathecal baclofen therapy who had sequential occurrence of both acute inadvertent baclofen overdose followed by withdrawal symptoms. During baclofen intoxication, electroencephalography documented periodic generalized epileptiform discharges, occasionally followed by intermittent electro-decremental responses on a background of diffuse delta slowing (1-2 Hz). During withdrawal, mild generalized slowing during wakefulness was observed along with the appearance of high-amplitude, sharply contoured delta activity resembling frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity in sleep. To our knowledge, this temporal profile of electroencephalographic features during baclofen intoxication followed by withdrawal has not been described before in pediatric patients. It is important for treating physicians to recognize the evolution of this electroencephalographic pattern in order to avoid misinterpretation of diagnosis and prognosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/24. Intrathecal baclofen overdose and withdrawal.Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy is being used increasingly to treat medically intractable spasticity in children with cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries. baclofen overdose and withdrawal are potentially life-threatening complications of pump and spinal catheter system malfunction. We report a case of a 12-year-old boy, on long-term ITB therapy, who presents to our emergency department with an overdose of ITB, which is followed by withdrawal symptoms. The patient initially presented obtunded and in respiratory arrest. His symptoms of respiratory arrest, obtundation, fixed pupils, and hypotension mimicked other diagnoses, such as head trauma. The history obtained from the family about the pump reservoir being refilled just before the onset of symptoms led to the diagnosis. During hospitalization, as the patient recovered from the overdose, he began to experience symptoms of baclofen withdrawal, including hypertension, hyperthermia, and hallucinations. The pump was found to be disconnected and was revised. The patient was discharged home without permanent sequelae. With increased use of ITB, emergency medicine physicians must be aware of the mechanics of these pumps and the management of baclofen toxicity and withdrawal.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/24. neuroleptic malignant syndrome in Parkinson's disease after withdrawal or alteration of dopaminergic therapy.neuroleptic malignant syndrome is characterized by altered consciousness, fever, extrapyramidal signs, autonomic instability, elevated creatine kinase level, and leukocytosis. Although originally described in patients receiving neuroleptic drugs, this syndrome may also occur in patients with Parkinson's disease during withdrawal or reduction of levodopa therapy or other dopaminergic drug therapy. We have encountered three cases of neuroleptic malignant syndrome related to withdrawal of levodopa therapy. These cases illustrate the variety of circumstances in which alteration of therapy with dopaminergic drugs can cause this syndrome and the relative unfamiliarity of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome-levodopa relationship among physicians who do not treat large numbers of patients with Parkinson's disease. An understanding of the role of brain dopamine in the pathogenesis of neuroleptic malignant syndrome and an appreciation of the great variety of drugs whose manipulation can result in this potentially fatal syndrome will aid its proper and timely recognition, especially when the offending pharmacologic manipulation does not involve neuroleptic drugs.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/24. But what if a patient gets hooked? Fallacies about long-term use of benzodiazepines.Is a person who needs a certain drug to function normally and has a relapse of symptoms when it is withdrawn addicted? Dr Talley says no. patients with a chronic anxiety disorder depend on benzodiazepines to enable them to live among the stresses of the real world, much like ulcer patients need ongoing drug therapy to subdue their problem. The fact that symptoms recur on withdrawal of the drug proves the continuing efficacy of the drug in controlling symptoms. Dr Talley gives advice on prescribing benzodiazepines for the long term that will help physicians and patients to avoid trouble.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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