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Case Reports
. 2024 Jul 26:12:2050313X241265069.
doi: 10.1177/2050313X241265069. eCollection 2024.

Possible cannabinoid-induced lactic acidosis requiring emergent dialysis

Marcus H Cummins  1 , Brandon J Croft  1   2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Possible cannabinoid-induced lactic acidosis requiring emergent dialysis

Marcus H Cummins et al. SAGE Open Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Lactic acidosis is a common finding in the intensive care unit and is associated with increased mortality. We present the case of a 42-year-old male with alcohol use disorder and cirrhosis who developed sudden onset shortness of breath while smoking marijuana. He was found to have a lactic acid level of 25.6 mmol/L with a significant anion gap metabolic acidosis requiring emergent dialysis. He was hypertensive without evidence of tissue hypoperfusion. His profound type B lactic acidosis was primarily attributed to a rare manifestation of cannabinoid toxicity. At a clinic visit 3 months later, he was doing well and had not smoked marijuana since his discharge.

Keywords: Lactic acidosis; cannabinoids; marijuana; type B lactic acidosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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