Prevalence of Symptoms in Patients Poisoned with Iranian Crack in Ahvaz Razi Hospital in 2008-2013

Abstract

Background: Crack is a strong and smoking form of cocaine, but Iranian crack is different from common crack cocaine, having symptoms and side effects similar to those of heroin. This study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical symptoms in patients poisoned with Iranian crack poisoning hospitalized in Ahvaz Razi Hospital in the years 2008-2013. Methods: In this study, 63 subjects with Iranian crack poisoning referred to the poisonings center of Ahvaz Razi Hospital, Khuzestan Province, Iran, between 2008 and 2013. The information collected from their records based on hospital data includes reference data, demographic data, prevalence and clinical symptoms and treatment. Results: Of 63 subjects, 88.9% were male. The mean age of the subjects was 25 years. The majority of the subjects were single. Most of them used another substance along with Iranian crack. The first clinical symptoms of more than half of them were loss of consciousness. 54% of them needed antidote; 69.8% admitted to ICU. 6.3% of the subjects died. Conclusion:We concluded that the most prevalent pattern and the first signs of Iranian crack overdose are similar to heroin consumption and not crack cocaine. Therefore, more studies are required for clinical management of acute or chronic toxicity of this illicit drug and to reduce further damages.