Methamphetamine Abuse Methamphetamine Abuse Methamphetamine

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Methamphetamine

• Abuse

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Methamphetamine is a drug that affects the
  Sympathetic nervous system.
• It acts primarily to cause the body to produce
  large quantities of epinephrine,
  norepinephrine,and dopamine.
• These are neurotransmitters, called
  catecholamines.

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Catecholamine response is a result of these
  neurotransmitters affecting specific receptor
  sites within the body.
• These receptor sites are known as
• Alpha
• Beta-1
• Beta-2

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Alpha Receptors
• Found in Arteries and Veins
• Sympathetic response is vasoconstriction
• Parasympathetic response is dilation

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Beta-1 Receptors
• Found only in the Heart
• Sympathetic response is increase in rate, force,
  and conductivity.
• Parasympathetic response is a decrease in all of
  the above.

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Beta-2
• Found primarily in the lungs.
• Sympathetic response is bronchodilator.
• Parasympathetic response is bronchoconstriction.

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Methamphetamine use affects all these sites.
• Also, urine production slows, digestion stops,
  metabolism increases as does glycolysis.
• Uncontrolled catecholamine response and
  sympathetic stimulation can result in the
  following

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Arrhythmias
• Acute Myocardial Infarction
• Cerebral Hemorrhage
• Aneurysm
• Or Renal Failure

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Some CNS symptoms of meth use are
• Euphoria
• Talkativeness
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Psychotic behavior
• Seizure

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Some PNS symptoms of meth use are
• Profuse sweating
• Tremors
• Muscle twitching
• Dilated pupils

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Acute Cardiovascular S/sx of meth use
• Tachycardia
• HTN
• Dysrhythmias
• AMI
• Cerebral Hemorrhage

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Other Affects of Meth Use include
• Status Epilepticus
• Hyperthermia
• Acute Renal Failure
• Rhabdomyolosis

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Prehospital Treatment of the Meth Patient
• Treat ABCs and apparent life threats.
• Hi-flo o2 is recommended in ALL cases.
• IV fluid infusion should be established with NS
  or LR.
• Provide Cardiac Monitoring (when possible)
• Any Pt with agitation should be with use of
  benzodiazepines ( valium, versed).

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Prehospital Treatment of the Meth Patient
  (continued)
• Anti-psychotic drugs such as Haldol or
  Droperidol, should be avoided as in meth patients
  they lower the seizure threshold. They also
  impair the bodys ability to regulate
  temperature, possibly resulting in Hyperthermia.

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Prehospital Treatment of the Meth Patient
  (continued)
• Awake, alert, patients with patent airway should
  be considered for administration of Activated
  Charcoal ,1mg/kg PO.
• Meth patients with seizures should be given 5-10
  mg Valium, IV push.
• Hyperthermia patients need to be cooled with cold
  packs and central cooling technique.

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Law Enforcement may be needed due to
  unpredictability of patient.
• Always keep in mind the possibility for psychotic
  or manic behavior changes.
• Note the fact that meth patients who become
  violent are often MUCH stronger than they would
  normally be.

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• This is due to the fact of the Epinephrine in
  synapses cause exponential increase in muscle
  contractility.
• Code 3 Transportation may not be the best case
  even in the most serious of meth patients. The
  lights and siren may cause serious anxiety, and
  fear. Which, in the profoundly tachycardic,and
  hypertensive, state the patient is in, could
  conceivably cause further myocardial damage, or
  provoke a seizure.

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Methamphetamine Abuse

• Thanks. Thats all I got.
• 
  Robby Latta