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Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) — commonly known as "Spice," "K2," "Cloud 9," "Mojo," or "herbal incense" — are full agonists at CB1/CB2 receptors with binding affinities up to 100 times greater than THC, producing more severe and unpredictable toxicity than natural cannabis. [1-3] They are undetectable on routine urine drug screens. [4-5]
1. History
2. Alarm Features
3. Medications
4. Diet
5. Review of Systems
6. Collateral History and Family History
7. Risk Factors
8. Differential Diagnosis
9. Past Medical History
10. Physical Exam
11. Lab Studies
12. Imaging
13. Special Tests
14. ECG
15. Assessment
SC toxicity presents on a spectrum from mild to life-threatening. Most presentations involve young males with tachycardia, agitation, and nausea that resolve within <8 hours with supportive care. [1][19] However, severe complications include:
Newer-generation SC compounds (full CB1 agonists like INACA derivatives, XLR-11) may present atypically with CNS depression and bradycardia rather than the classic sympathomimetic picture. [6][20]
16. Treatment Plan
Initial stabilization:
Agitation/seizures:
Hemodynamic instability:
Hyperthermia:
Rhabdomyolysis:
Brodifacoum-associated coagulopathy:
Symptomatic care:
The following figure from the Illinois outbreak demonstrates INR trajectories over 72 hours with various treatment combinations for brodifacoum-contaminated SC coagulopathy:
17. Disposition
18. Follow Up / Return Precautions
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