Cannabis toxicity

Q: Acute cannabis intoxication may cause all of the following EXCEPT? - select one

A) Tachycardia

B) Conjunctival injection

C) Dry mouth

D) Slurred speech

E) Bronchodilatation

Answer: E

The objective of this question is to highlight the fact that cannabis/marijuana use may lead to acute exacerbations of asthma. Patients who have issues with bronchospasm and use cannabis may have poor symptom control. Other symptoms can be ataxia, hyperkinesis, seizures, lethargy, hyperemesis, dysphoria, and agitation.

Pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum are also reported when the user tends to do deep inhalation.

#toxicity

#pulmonary

References:

1. Ashton CH. Pharmacology and effects of cannabis: a brief review. Br J Psychiatry 2001; 178:101.

2. Tashkin DP. Effects of marijuana smoking on the lung. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2013; 10:239.

3. Noble MJ, Hedberg K, Hendrickson RG. Acute cannabis toxicity. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2019 Aug;57(8):735-742. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2018.1548708. Epub 2019 Jan 24. PMID: 30676820.

4. Caponnetto P, Auditore R, Russo C, et al. "Dangerous relationships": asthma and substance abuse. J Addict Dis 2013; 32:158.