ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCIES
COMPLICATIONS
■ Severe hypertension, hyperthermia, seizures, or rhabdomyolysis
MESCALINE
Mescaline is a hallucinogenic alkaloid found in the Mexican peyote cactus
Lophophora williamsii.
SYMPTOMS/EXAM
■ Similar to LSD
■ Euphoria, alerted perception, nystagmus, and ataxia
■ Nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain
■ In high doses—sympathomimetic toxicity (see Chapter 6, Toxicology)
■ Diaphoresis
■ Hypertension, tachycardia
■ Mydriasis
■ Hyperthermia
TREATMENT/COMPLICATIONS
As with marijuana, above
MORNINGGLORY(IPOMOEA VIOLACEA)
Seeds of this plant contain D-lysergic acid amide, a compound related to LSD.
SYMPTOMS/EXAM
■ Hallucinations
■ Dilated pupils
■ Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea
■ Numbness of extremities and muscle tightness
TREATMENT/COMPLICATIONS
As with marijuana, above
GASTROINTESTINALIRRITANTS
■ Holly (Iiex galabra)—toxic berries
■ Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)—entire plant is toxic
SYMPTOMS/EXAM
■ Abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea
■ Death (rare)
TREATMENT
■ GI decontamination and supportive care