The "Angel Dust" States: Phencyclidine Toxicity

Phencyclidine (PCP), originally developed as a human anesthetic but abandoned due to severe emergence deliriums, is now used as a veterinary anesthetic and has become a common street drug of abuse, especially among young people. Its abuse is associated with multiple clinical states, aggressive behavior, and management challenges. During the late 1960s it was sold as a substitute for mescaline, psilocybin, or tetrahydrocannabinol and used as an adulterant for hallucinogens. In recent years it has become a preferred substance and the most widely available hallucinogen, typically consumed as part of a polydrug abuse pattern with alcohol, sedatives, and marijuana.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Phencyclidine (1-[1-phenylcyclohexyl]piperidine, PCP, hog, sheets, angel dust, Sernylan, and many other common names) is a primate anesthetic that has emerged as a common drug of abuse and as a medical emergency problem during the past few years. Phencyclidine abuse is primarily a youthful activity. It is associated with multiple clinical states, an unusual amount of aggressive behavior, and a variety of problems in management.1Thirty years ago phencyclidine was developed as an intravenous anesthetic for humans, but the frequency and intensity of emergence deliriums made it unsuitable. It is currently used as a veterinary anesthetic. Because of the availability of its precursors, its ease of manufacture, and its relative inexpensiveness, it became a common street drug during the late 1960s. At that time it was sold when mescaline, psilocybin, or tetrahydrocannabinol was requested, and it served as a virtually universal adulterant for hallucinogens. Not highly regarded among users of psychedelics, it was only infrequently purchased under its own name. During the past few years the picture has changed. Now it is a preferred substance, the most widely available and used hallucinogen. It usually is consumed as part of a polydrug abuse pattern along with alcohol, sedatives, and marihuana.PREVALENCEThe extent of its usage is not easily assessed, the wide variety of names and of dosage forms make surveys imprecise.