Amphetamine Poisoning and Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

The potentially fatal toxic effects of the amphetamine drugs were emphasized by Zalis and Parmley recently, when they reported the tenth fatal case and reviewed the previously reported cases.¹ This group of drugs, which includes amphetamine phosphate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and methamphetamine hydrochloride, is used for a variety of purposes, but chiefly as anorectics, antidepressants, and stimulants.² The current generous prescribing of these medications is presumably related to the sophistication of present-day society and its concern with diet and weight control. There seems to be a general belief that these are relatively innocuous agents. There have been a few reports indicating that severe sympathetic hyperactivity may occur either independently, or accompanied by central nervous system disturbances including coma and convulsions.^3-5 The acute lethal dosage of amphetamine is usually given as 20-25 mg/kg in the adult.^2-4 For children, the fatal dose is only 20%-25% of that for an