Long-term use of synthetic drugs can cause acute liver failure, life-threatening arrhythmias or coronary syndromes, and severe encephalopathy, according to the Santiago de Compostela University Hospital in Spain.
MADRID, Nov. 26. (EUROPA PRESS).- Internists have warned that synthetic drugsproduced artificially, have a very variable composition, as well as unpredictable effects and that, even, whoever takes them can suffer a coma.
“Synthetic drugs are, by definition, those that have been synthesized artificially, in order to imitate or enhance the effects of other substances. Their composition is much more variable and their effects are more unpredictable. In addition, they undergo continuous changes in their formulation, in order to avoid restrictions. Therefore, in concept, they have nothing to do with the natural substances that are used as illicit drugs,” explained Dr. Sara Carrascosa, from the Internal Medicine Service of the Hospital Consortium. University General of Valencia.
This will be one of the topics addressed in the session ‘Synthetic drugs, main derived syndromes’, which will be held within the framework of the 46th Congress of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) and the 39th
Congress of the Andalusian Society of Internal Medicine (SADEMI), from November 26 to 28 in Córdoba.
“These synthetic drugs are those obtained through artificial synthesis, from non-natural precursors. They can be known psychotropic or narcotic compounds, chemically modified, or novel compounds with effects superimposable to those of other illicit drugs. Like traditional drugs, they have effects on different neuronal signaling systems (dopaminergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, opioid), and at different levels,” explained Dr. Mariño Fernández, from the Medicine Service of the University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela.
Short and long term effects
“The early signs or symptoms that can alert family or friends that a person is using drugs are changes in behavior, such as irritability, euphoria, sleep disturbances and changes in relationships, which can lead to pathological consumption in general,” Carrascosa warned.
“Consumption in itself is not a disease and, therefore, it has no symptoms. In the context of a consumption disorder or dependence syndrome, alterations in social functioning, relationships or work are frequently observed,” added Fernández.
In the short term, experts indicate that synthetic drugs can cause arrhythmias, hypertension, risk of ischemic heart disease or strokes, although it varies depending on the substance and the dose consumed. The effects on the nervous system are varied, although predominantly agitation, convulsions or coma appear.
The main syndromes or disorders that develop with prolonged consumption depend on the type of substance, the route of administration and the time of use, “although the long-term effect is not well known, in some cases there may be neurological, psychiatric or cardiovascular problems,” reports Carrascosa.
“Most of these substances can mildly affect the brain, heart and liver. In their most serious form, they can cause acute liver failure, threatening arrhythmias or coronary syndromes and severe encephalopathy,” added Fernández.
Role of the internist
“Internists have a fundamental role in the differential diagnosis, the detection of organic complications, in the management of clinical conditions associated with drugs, the stabilization of the intoxicated patient and the coordination of pathologies that appear in the medium and long term, given our capacity for global vision and comprehensive management, from the emergency room to the hospitalization ward and outpatient consultation,” says Carrascosa.
For internists it is important to clarify that “there is no evidence that the use or circulation of synthetic drugs is currently generating a worsening or escalating clinical problem and programs like this, of a purely educational and scientific nature, should in no case contribute to the creation of a ‘drug scare’ climate or persecution of users,” Fernández points out.