A Review of "Bath Salts": Evolving Designer Drugs of Abuse

The abuse of "bath salts" is a fairly new trend amongst teenagers and young adults. These substances, which are sold under various brand names, contain any one, or mixtures of, several synthetic cathinones such as 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). The users of these substances may present with delusions, hallucinations, severe psychomotor agitation, and various other physiological effects. Special screens are required to detect these substances in users. Management is mostly supportive and has involved the use of benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and general anesthesia in extreme cases. The use of beta blockers in users with elevated blood pressure is contraindicated as it may cause dangerous paradoxical increase in blood pressure.