Phencyclidine (PCP)

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Phencyclidine (PCP)

Synonyms	The most common synonyms are: Angel dust, Crazy Eddie, Crystal, Elephant, Horse tranquilizers, Mess, Milk, Peace pill, Purple rain, Rocket fuel, TH. PCP is often sold under the name mescaline.
Classification	Central nervous system disruptor (dissociative anesthetic): Disrupts mental processes: causes varying degrees of disturbances in brain function, perception, mood and cognitive processes.
Visual description	Crystalline powder (initially white) Coloured tablets and capsules
Mechanism of action	Depends on the dose ingested: Low doses: phencyclidine binds to a binding site within the NMDA receptor channel (causes mild inebriation). High doses: blocks the reuptake of monoamines (noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin) and the release of catecholamines (effect similar to amphetamines).
Routes of administration	Ingested, smoked (added to herbs or marijuana in a cigarette), snorted and injected.

Effects sought out by the user

Altered perception (similar to LSD):
- Body trip: distortion of body perception
- Distortions of time, space and body image as well as visual and auditory distortions
Euphoria
Feeling of dissociation

Feeling of inebriation
Feeling of weightlessness/floating
Relaxation
Stimulates pleasure
Visual/auditory hallucinations

Common toxic effects

Anxiety
Blank staring
Blurred vision
Catatonic state: stereotyped movements, grimacing, sudden inability to speak
Confusion
Coordination problems
Disorientation
Dizziness
Excessive tearing, salivation, sweating
Feelings of alienation
Increased blood pressure

Mutism (lack of verbal expression)
Myosis (constriction of the pupils)
Numbness in the extremities
Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement)
Panic attacks
Paranoid delusions
Problems with attention/concentration/thought
Retrograde amnesia
Speech problems
Stupor
Tachycardia

Overdose effects

Abnormal increase in body temperature
Brain hemorrhage
Coma
Convulsions
Hypertensive crisis
Kidney failure
Muscle disorders

Muscle rigidity
Precipitation of a latent psychotic episode
Respiratory arrest
State of agitation: aggression, impulsiveness, violence
Stroke
Suicide
Toxic psychosis

Effects associated with chronic use

Aggressiveness, violence
Auditory hallucinations
Delirium
Depression

Paranoid disorders
Social isolation
Suicide
Toxic psychosis

Tolerance (need to increase the dose to feel the same effect)

May develop as a result of regular use.

Addiction

Mainly psychological.

Withdrawal

Yes, but poorly documented.

Onset and duration of action
Route of administration	Onset of action	Peak	Duration of action
Smoked	A few minutes	30 minutes	4 to 6 hours, then gradually wears off over 24 hours

Intoxication management

If ingested, smoked or snorted: administer activated charcoal.
No antidote available.
Treatment is mainly symptomatic.

Many different street drugs are sold under the same name. Furthermore, nothing guarantees the quantity, purity or even the content of a street drug in spite of the fact that it may, in some cases, look like medication.

If you need help or want to learn more:

Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

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The patient information leaflets are provided by Vigilance Santé Inc. This content is for information purposes only and does not in any manner whatsoever replace the opinion or advice of your health care professional. Always consult a health care professional before making a decision about your medication or treatment.