
Spice intoxication and hyperglycemia
Author(s) -
Alberto Elena-González,
Pedro Cuadros-Tito,
Gema Esteban-Gutiérrez
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
anales del sistema sanitario de navarra
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2340-3527
pISSN - 1137-6627
DOI - 10.23938/assn.0748
Subject(s) - spice , medicine , engineering , electrical engineering
We present a case of intoxication by synthetic cannabinoids (SC). SC are substances of abuse with effects similar to Marijuana but with a different chemical structure, which avoids its detectability by regular drug tests, making diagnosis difficult. Among the possible side effects of their use is hyperglycemia. Their presence should be suspected in cases of hyperglycemia that cannot be explained by any other cause, especially in young patients presenting another clinical picture suggestive of SC consumption such as agitation, confusional symptoms or psychosis; the patient should be questioned about their use. It is important that the diabetic population knows the side effects of synthetic cannabinoids to avoid their consumption, as it is a sector of the population especially vulnerable to the consequences of their use.