Phencyclidine Poisoning

Basics

Description

  • Phencyclidine (PCP) is a dissociative anesthetic structurally related to ketamine:
    • Causes decreased perception of pain and agitation
  • Half-life of 21–24 hr, but may be longer in overdose
  • Enterohepatic recirculation – recirculated into the stomach
  • Beware of new PCP analogs such as forms of methoxy-PCP (3-MeO-PCP, 4-Meo-PCP)

Etiology

  • Drug of abuse:
    • Frequently encountered as an adulterant of marijuana
  • Street names for PCP include:
    • Angel dust
    • Wicky stick
    • Wicky weed
    • Wacky weed
    • Wet
    • Illy
    • Embalming fluid
    • Sherman

Pediatric Considerations
Exposure in toddlers reported via passive exposure

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