Acute inferior myocardial infarction associated with the ingestion of captagon pills: A case report

Gökdemir, Mehmet Tahir; Giden, Ramazan

doi:10.1016/j.tjem.2018.05.001

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 7 publications

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“…The most concerning side effects of captagon include psychosis, visual hallucinations, visual distortions, acute heart failure, seizures, and acute myocardial infarction [ 45 ]. The pathophysiology of amphetamine-induced myocardial infarction has not been elucidated but it is likely associated with vasoconstriction and destabilization of the thrombus caused by the amphetamine [ 46 ]. Other side effects are tachycardia, increased body temperature, and rapid respiration.…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Emergence of the Old Drug Captagon as a New Illicit Drug: A Narrative Review

Pergolizzi Jr,

LeQuang,

Vortsman

et al. 2024

Cureus

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First developed in the 1960s in Europe and approved briefly for use in the United States, fenethylline (sold as Captagon, one of its early trade names) is now a prominent drug of abuse in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The drug was withdrawn from the United States market because of side effects that included hallucinations, visual distortions, and psychosis; it has also been linked to rare cases of myocardial infarction, seizures, and delusions. The chemical synthesis of fenethylline is straightforward and inexpensive. Manufactured in clandestine labs in Southern Europe and the Middle East, these amphetamines had been used by affluent Middle Eastern young people for recreation or study aids. Captagon has periodically emerged as a drug used in combat and conflict, and it was implicated in the 2015 riots in Paris. It has been described as “chemical courage” for combatants giving them focus, energy, and endurance in battle situations. Captagon is addictive but no cases of direct captagon-associated mortality have been reported. The use of drugs in war is nothing new, but captagon is also used heavily in the civilian population in war-torn areas to help them cope with food insecurity and maintain courage in dangerous situations. Captagon production and distribution drives the Syrian economy, but the drug’s use is limited to certain regions and is rarely seen in North America. The drug is available online, but product may be contaminated with the inclusion of procaine, caffeine, or other substances.

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Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%