Electroconvulsive therapy improves persistent psychosis after repeated use of methylenedioxypyrovalerone ("bath salts")

The use of synthetic cathinone drugs, known popularly as "bath salts," may lead to persistent visual hallucinations and paranoia with repeated use. This is the first case report known to the authors suggesting that such symptoms may persist despite discontinuing the use of psychoactive bat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe journal of ECT Vol. 29; no. 4; p. e59
Main Authors Penders, Thomas M, Lang, Michael C, Pagano, Joshua J, Gooding, Zane S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.12.2013
Subjects
Adult
Benzodioxoles - adverse effects
Designer Drugs - adverse effects
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Female
Hallucinations - chemically induced
Hallucinations - therapy
Humans
Psychoses, Substance-Induced - therapy
Pyrrolidines - adverse effects
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:The use of synthetic cathinone drugs, known popularly as "bath salts," may lead to persistent visual hallucinations and paranoia with repeated use. This is the first case report known to the authors suggesting that such symptoms may persist despite discontinuing the use of psychoactive bath salts. As is the case with other such symptoms associated with use of stimulant drugs of abuse, these symptoms are resistant to pharmacologic treatment, and electroconvulsive therapy can be a useful treatment modality in such situations. This report adds to evidence for efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy in the management of stimulant-induced persistent psychotic symptoms.
ISSN:1533-4112
DOI:10.1097/YCT.0b013e3182887bc2