Common Street Drugs: Phencyclidine (PCP)

Common Street Drugs: Phencyclidine (PCP) is a topic covered in the Pocket ICU Management.

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Anesthesia Central is an all-in-one web and mobile solution for treating patients before, during, and after surgery. This collection of drugs, procedures, and test information is derived from Davis’s Drug, MGH Clinical Anesthesia Procedures, Pocket Guide to Diagnostic Tests, and PRIME Journals. Explore these free sample topics:

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First Things First (assess & treat for the following)

  • Phencyclidine is a potent analgesic & dissociative anesthetic w/ hallucinogenic properties.
  • Usual 5-mg doses result in lethargy, euphoria, hallucinations.
  • Large doses can result in increased autonomic effects, including HTN, hyperthermia, tachycardia, seizures.
    • HTN is common. Most cases resolve in 4 hrs but may last >24 hrs. Treat symptomatic hypertensive crisis w/ IV nitroprusside.
    • Treat seizure activity w/ a benzodiazepine.
  • Violent behavior & combativeness are common; control w/ haloperidol or a benzodiazepine.
  • Enterohepatic/gastroenteric cycles & storage in lipids account for prolonged symptoms.

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First Things First (assess & treat for the following)

  • Phencyclidine is a potent analgesic & dissociative anesthetic w/ hallucinogenic properties.
  • Usual 5-mg doses result in lethargy, euphoria, hallucinations.
  • Large doses can result in increased autonomic effects, including HTN, hyperthermia, tachycardia, seizures.
    • HTN is common. Most cases resolve in 4 hrs but may last >24 hrs. Treat symptomatic hypertensive crisis w/ IV nitroprusside.
    • Treat seizure activity w/ a benzodiazepine.
  • Violent behavior & combativeness are common; control w/ haloperidol or a benzodiazepine.
  • Enterohepatic/gastroenteric cycles & storage in lipids account for prolonged symptoms.

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Last updated: April 15, 2010