[Acute Drug Poisoning]

The range of illicit substances of abuse is broad. Compounds of major importance are cannabinoids, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy, hallucinogens, phencyclidine, gammahydroxybutyrate, volatile nitrites, solvents, and nitrous oxide. The corresponding toxidromes vary considerably according to their mechanisms of action. Substances with a low general acute toxicity such as ecstasy may cause rare cases of severe or fatal complications. The therapy is rarely specific but symptomatic in most instances. Monitoring is important, and there is a need for a high index of suspicion for severe complications.