Khat--a new drug of abuse in Norway

The stimulating drug, Khat, is a drug of abuse that has become known in Norway due to increased immigration from East-Africa, especially Somalia. Review of recent literature. Khat is present in leaves from the tree Catha Edulis and is taken by chewing the leaves. The biologically active compounds ar...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inTidsskrift for den Norske Lægeforening Vol. 127; no. 5; p. 574
Main Authors Al-Samarraie, Muhammad, Khiabani, Hassan Z, Opdal, Mimi Stokke
Format Journal Article
LanguageNorwegian
Published Norway 01.03.2007
Subjects
Catha - adverse effects
Catha - chemistry
Central Nervous System Stimulants - adverse effects
Central Nervous System Stimulants - pharmacokinetics
Central Nervous System Stimulants - pharmacology
Humans
Plant Leaves - chemistry
Psychoses, Substance-Induced - etiology
Substance-Related Disorders - etiology
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The stimulating drug, Khat, is a drug of abuse that has become known in Norway due to increased immigration from East-Africa, especially Somalia. Review of recent literature. Khat is present in leaves from the tree Catha Edulis and is taken by chewing the leaves. The biologically active compounds are cathinone, cathine and norephedrine. Analysis of cathinone in urine can be performed at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The effects of khat are similar to, but weaker than those of amphetamine. Khat stimulates the central nervous system causing increased alertness, euphoria and occasionally psychosis, and increases activity in the peripheral sympathetic nervous system leading to palpitations, increased blood pressure, large pupils and red eyes. Tannin in khat damages teeth and causes constipation. With increased use of khat in the society it is important for the clinician to have some knowledge of the effects of khat.
ISSN:0807-7096