Apnea and Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Caused by Cocaine and Heroin Use: A Case Report

Division

North Florida

Hospital

Osceola Regional Medical Center

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

11-2020

Keywords

opioid use, cocaine use, overdose, toxidrome, substance-related disorders / complications

Disciplines

Emergency Medicine | Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: Drug overdose represents a growing reason for emergency department visits and hospitalizations in the United States. Co-ingestion of multiple substances is also on the rise, and toxidromes can be seen from any of multiple drugs in a single patient.

Case Report: We present a case of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage secondary to cocaine abuse in a patient who was apneic and unresponsive after heroin overdose. The patient responded to supportive care and was discharged with complete return to physical and mental baseline.

Conclusion: Clinicians must be vigilant for any number of concomitant toxidromes when a patient is brought in with complications following drug overdose.

Publisher or Conference

Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine

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