Hallucinogens Causing Seizures? A Case Report of the Synthetic Amphetamine 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Chloroamphetamine[DOC]
Mark J. Burish, MD, PhD
Katie L. Thoren, PhD
Maura Madou, MD
Shahed Toossi, MD
Maulik Shah, MD
Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Mark J. Burish, UC San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, Box 0114, Room M-798, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. Email: *****{at}ucsf.edu
Abstract
Although traditional hallucinogenic drugs such as marijuana and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are not typically associated with seizures, newer synthetic hallucinogenic drugs can provoke seizures. Here, we report the unexpected consequences of taking a street-bought hallucinogenic drug thought to be LSD. Our patient presented with hallucinations and agitation progressing to status epilepticus with a urine toxicology screen positive only for cannabinoids and opioids. Using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry, an additional drug was found: an amphetamine-derived phenylethylamine called 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine. We bring this to the attention of the neurologic community as there are a growing number of hallucinogenic street drugs that are negative on standard urine toxicology and cause effects that are unexpected for both the patient and the neurologist, including seizures.
