Farm Comunitarios. 2013 May 30;5(2):74-78

DATURA STRAMONIUM: Toxicology of an emergent drug

Soler Carracedo A1, Rubio Armendáriz C2, Hardisson de La Torre A3, Gutiérrez Fernández AJ2
1. Licenciado en Biología. Área de Toxicología, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología y Medicina Legal y Forense. Universidad de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2. Profesor Titular de Toxicología. Área de Toxicología, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología y Medicina Legal y Forense. Universidad de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 3. Catedrático de Toxicología. Área de Toxicología, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología y Medicina Legal y Forense. Universidad de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Soler A, Rubio C, Hardisson A, Gutiérrez AJ. DATURA STRAMONIUM: Toxicology of an emergent drug. Farm Comunitarios. 2013 May 30;5(2):74-78
Abstract : 

Jimson weed (Datura stramonium L), has been widely used for centuries in a mystical-religious context, as occurs with most natural hallucinogenic drugs. However, in the summer of 2011 its use was detected in Spain as a result of the death of two teenagers at a rave party in Getafe (Madrid) and also because of the acute intoxication of a teenager in Badajoz. These events generated great social alarm. These cases highlight the constant changes in the variability of hallucinatory drugs for party goers. The ready availability of this plant and the lack of understanding of the harmful effects of consuming it render it a serious public health issue. Jimson weed has hallucinatory as well as anticholinergic properties, due to its content in tropane alkaloids, of which we will focus on three: atropine (LD50= 10 mg for humans and 400 mg/kg in mice), hyoscyamine and scopolamine (LD50= 2-4 mg for humans 619 mg/kg in mice). The most common psychotic and organic effects induced include an altered mental state with hallucinations and tachycardia. Treatment is symptomatological, and an antidote, physostigmine, is available.

Editor: © SEFAC. Sociedad Española de Farmacia Clínica, Familiar y Comunitaria. 
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