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Amphetamine overdose

Last reviewed: 5 Oct 2024
Last updated: 22 Mar 2022

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • agitation, irrationality, restlessness, sometimes aggressive behavior
  • hyperthermia >100°F (>38°C) but <103°F (<39.5°C)
  • hyperthermia >103°F (>39.5°C)
  • seizures
  • diaphoresis, flushed facial skin
  • tachycardia and palpitations
  • traumatic injury
  • headache
  • serotonin drug interaction
  • hypertension
  • hyperreflexia and clonus
  • chest pain
  • cardiac arrhythmia
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • history of hepatitis B or C, HIV
  • tremor, repetitive movements
  • disorientation, confusion, delirium
  • malnutrition
  • superficial venous abnormalities
  • rapid speech, pacing, trismus
  • hallucinations or delusions
  • tremor, hypertonicity, or muscle rigidity
  • paranoia, hypervigilance, or psychosis
  • mydriasis
  • history of heart disease
  • tachypnea
  • dyspnea
  • lack of thirst
  • abdominal pain
  • positive Babinski reflex
  • focal neurologic signs, papilledema
Full details

Risk factors

  • high ambient temperature
  • volume depletion
  • exercise and sweating
  • excessive alcohol intake
  • polydrug usage
  • anxiety and depression
  • history of behavioral disturbance
  • history of delinquency or crime
  • ADHD
  • attendance at dance club or rave party
  • history of drug misuse for >1 year
  • genetic predilection
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • serum glucose
  • serum electrolytes
  • serum creatinine, BUN
  • ABG
  • serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase
  • serum prothrombin time, PTT, INR
  • urinalysis
  • urine toxicology screen
  • serum alcohol level
  • serum creatine kinase
  • serum troponin
  • ECG
  • Chest x-ray
Full details

Tests to consider

  • serum D-dimer
  • abdominal x-ray
  • CT of the head
  • MRI of the head
  • cerebral angiography
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

all patients

Contributors

Authors

John R. Richards, MD, FAAEM

Professor

Department of Emergency Medicine

University of California, Davis Medical Center

Sacramento

CA

Disclosures

JRR is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Acknowledgements

Dr John R. Richards would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Alison Jones, a previous contributor to this topic.

Disclosures

AJ is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Peer reviewers

Andrew Stolbach, MD

Assistant Professor

Department of Emergency Medicine

Johns Hopkins University Hospital

Baltimore

MD

Disclosures

AS declares that he has no competing interests.

Richard J. Geller, MD, MPH, FACP

Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine

University of California San Francisco School of Medicine

San Francisco

CA

Disclosures

RJG declares that he has no competing interests.

David Wood, BSc, MB ChB, MD, MRCP

Consultant Physician and Clinical Toxicologist

Guy's and St Thomas' Poisons Unit

London

UK

Disclosures

DW is an author of a reference cited in this topic.

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