Sympathomimetic toxicity

• Cocaine
• Amphetamines
• Ketamine
• Synthetic Cannabinoids

Differential Diagnosis

Toxidrome Chart

Finding	Cholinergic	Anticholinergic	Sympathomimetic	Sympatholytic^	Sedative/Hypnotic
Example	Organophosphates	TCAs	Cocaine	Clonidine	ETOH
Temp	Nl	Nl / ↑	Nl / ↑	Nl / ↓	Nl / ↓
RR	Variable	Nl / ↓	Variable	Nl / ↓	Nl / ↓
HR	Variable	↑	↑ (sig)	Nl / ↓	Nl / ↓
BP	↑	↑	↑	Nl / ↓	Nl / ↓
LOC	Nl / Lethargic	Nl, agitated, psychotic, comatose	Nl, agitated, psychotic	Nl, Lethargic, or Comatose	Nl, Lethargic, or Comatose
Pupils	Variable	Mydriatic	Mydriatic	Nl / Miotic
Motor	Fasciculations, Flacid Paralysis	Nl	Nl / Agitated	Nl
Skin	Sweating (sig)	Hot, dry	Sweating	Dry
Lungs	Bronchospasm / rhinorrhea	Nl	Nl	Nl
Bowel Sounds	Hyperactive (SLUDGE)	↓ / Absent	Nl / ↓	Nl / ↓

^Consider Sympatholytic when looking at Sedative OD or someone who doesn't respond to Narcan

Withdrawal from substances have the opposite effect

Treatment

• Sedation with a Benzodiazepine

Complications

• Rhabdomyolysis is common complication

• Bath Salts - 63%
• Amphetamines - 40%
• Cocaine - 33%

See Also

• Toxidromes