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. 2015 Mar-Apr;56(2):129-39.
doi: 10.1016/j.psym.2014.11.002. Epub 2014 Nov 6.

Toxicities associated with NBOMe ingestion-a novel class of potent hallucinogens: a review of the literature

Joji Suzuki  1 , Michael A Dekker  2 , Erin S Valenti  3 , Fabiola A Arbelo Cruz  4 , Ady M Correa  4 , Justin L Poklis  5 , Alphonse Poklis  6
Affiliations

Toxicities associated with NBOMe ingestion-a novel class of potent hallucinogens: a review of the literature

Joji Suzuki et al. Psychosomatics. 2015 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Background: A new class of synthetic hallucinogens called NBOMe has emerged as drugs of abuse.

Objective: Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of published reports of toxicities associated with NBOMe ingestion.

Methods: We searched PubMed for relevant English-language citations that described adverse effects from analytically confirmed human NBOMe ingestion. Demographic and clinical data were extracted.

Results: A total of 10 citations met the criteria for inclusion, representing 20 individual patients. 25I-NBOMe was the most common analogue identified, followed by 25B-NBOMe and 25C-NBOMe. Fatalities were reported in 3 (15%) cases. Of all the patients, 7 (35%) were discharged after a period of observation, whereas 8 (40.0%) required admission to an intensive care unit. The most common adverse effects were agitation (85.0%), tachycardia (85.0%), and hypertension (65.0%). Seizures were reported in 8 (40.0%) patients. The most common abnormalities reported on laboratory tests were elevated level of creatinine kinase (45.0%), leukocytosis (25.0%), and hyperglycemia (20.0%).

Conclusion: NBOMe ingestion is associated with severe adverse effects. Clinicians need to have a high index of suspicion for NBOMe ingestion in patients reporting the recent use of hallucinogens.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors have no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.

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