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- Designer drugs
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Designer drugs of abuse in children and adolescents
| AuthorCynthia C Hoecker, MD | Section EditorMichele Burns Ewald, MD | Deputy EditorJames F Wiley, II, MD, MPH |
Topic Outline
GRAPHICS
INTRODUCTION
Designer drugs of abuse are synthetic derivatives of federally controlled substances, created by slightly altering the molecular structure of existing drugs and are produced illegally in clandestine laboratories for illicit use [1]. Many of the most popular designer drugs on the street today are amphetamine analogs. Most of these drugs have some psychoactive properties and cause visual disturbances, but they are not true hallucinogens like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) [2].
Legislation was passed in the mid-1980s that made it illegal to manufacture, sell, or possess designer drugs in the United States. Despite this legislation, the synthesis, sale, and use of designer drugs remains a significant problem among teenagers and young adults, creating a considerable public health and law enforcement problem [3].
The common street names and chemical class of the most commonly used designer drugs of abuse are reviewed here. Clinical effects and management of acute intoxication caused by the following drugs of abuse are discussed separately:
- Cocaine (see "Cocaine: Acute intoxication")
- Ecstasy (see "MDMA (ecstasy) intoxication", section on 'Clinical features' and "MDMA (ecstasy) intoxication", section on 'Management')
- Methamphetamine (see "Methamphetamine intoxication", section on 'Clinical features of overdose' and "Methamphetamine intoxication", section on 'Management')
- Phencyclidine (see "Phencyclidine (PCP) intoxication in children and adolescents", section on 'Clinical features of overdose' and "Phencyclidine (PCP) intoxication in children and adolescents", section on 'Management').
- Ketamine (see "Ketamine poisoning", section on 'Clinical presentation' and "Ketamine poisoning", section on 'Management')
- Opioids (see "Opioid intoxication in children and adolescents", section on 'Clinical manifestations' and "Opioid intoxication in children and adolescents", section on 'Management of acute toxicity')
AMPHETAMINE ANALOGS
Amphetamine analogs are the most popular designer drugs [1]. They are synthesized by attaching various substituents (including methoxy, methyl, halogen, or sulfur) to different positions of the phenyl ring of amphetamine or methamphetamine (figure 1).
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Literature review current through: 20.6:
May 2012
This topic last updated: Apr 5, 2012
This topic last updated: Apr 5, 2012
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