Management of Suspected α-Pyrrolidinoisohexanophenone (α-PiHP)-Related Hyperthermia in a Young Adult: A Case Report

Overview

Journal Cureus

Specialty Biomedical Engineering

Date 2024 Nov 4

PMID 39493037

Authors

Thibaud Tkind

Pierre Baptiste Vialatte

Claire Roger

Laysa Saadi

Laurent Muller

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Synthetic cathinones, commonly known as "bath salts," have been increasingly implicated in severe health incidents. α-Pyrrolidinoisohexanophenone (α-PiHP) is one of the substances for which clinical data remain limited. In this article, we report a case of a 32-year-old male patient who ingested five grams of α-PiHP in a suicide attempt, resulting in hyperthermia and severe complications, including rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury. Despite the lack of confirmation for α-PiHP intoxication in toxicology screens, the patient's reported history was strongly suggestive. Considering a diagnostic uncertainty between serotonin syndrome and sympathomimetic toxidrome, and given the unavailability of cyproheptadine, dantrolene was administered to control the hyperthermia, resulting in a prompt and effective reduction in core body temperature. This case highlights the potential utility of dantrolene in treating hyperthermia induced by synthetic cathinones.

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