Submitted on behalf of ILBCDI
A new research article detailing a local poison outbreak involving synthetic cannabinoids and the therapy provided is featured in the latest issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. The paper was co-authored by Dr. Amar Kelkar of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria and Doctors Michael Tarantino and Jonathan Roberts of the Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute, as well as other residents at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria.
Close to home
Thirty-four patients were in a recent study at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center, identified as having bleeding disorders associated with the use of synthetic cannabinoids. Dr. Roberts, Associate Medical Director at the Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute was consulted to properly diagnose and care for these patients. There’s a standard test to measure how blood is clotting. “These patients were off the charts in terms of clotting dysfunction,” Roberts said. Superwarfarin, specifically brodifacoum, which is used to kill rats, was found to be present in all patients.
Synthetic cannabinoids are a class of laboratory-synthesized drugs of abuse, commonly referred to as “Spice” or “K2” and are designed to induce a calming sensation, while stimulating creativity and euphoria. Most forms are undetectable by traditional drug-screening methods and have been marketed legally as “not for human consumption” to evade prosecution.
Treatment
Vitamin K is a low-tech way to get blood to start clotting again, and this was the best treatment that was found. Usually a few pills will help a patient, but the people who ingested the tainted K2 or Spice would need to take vitamin K in large doses for months on end.
Final thoughts
Dr. Tarantino, Medical Director at the Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute, commented, “This serious public health issue just came up and had the potential to affect a lot of unsuspecting people. It was of paramount importance to educate not just the local medical community but the world community, as well.”
BCDI is the only federally recognized Hemophilia Treatment Center of Excellence south of Chicago. BCDI draws patients from physician, hospital, and self-referrals throughout the “downstate” Illinois area. BCDI specializes in the treatment of nonmalignant hematological disorders in both adults and children. For more information contact at 309-692-5337 or visit them at ilbcdi.org.