Introduction: Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are psychoactive substances that are gaining popularity for being available and indetectable by standardized drug tests. Synthetic cannabinoids products have similar effects to cannabis, yet are more potent, and have been associated with dangerous adverse effects. Aim of the study: evaluation of the dangerous effects of SCs in comparison to cannabis. Methods: This study was an observational retrospective cohort study including patients admitted to Poisoning Control Centre Ain Shams University Hospitals with acute toxicity of cannabis or synthetic cannabinoids over 5 years period from January 2015 to December 2019. Results: The study included 834 patients. SCs group included 113 patients mostly males (96%) between 13-40 years of age and due to recreational use by smoking (95%). Compared to the cannabis group, the SCs group showed a significant increase in mortality, occurrence of seizures, and need for mechanical ventilation. Conclusion and recommendations: SCs drugs show greater toxicity than cannabis. Further investigations of acute and long-lasting adverse effects are required.
Received in original form: 20 November 2021 Accepted in a final form: 30 December 2021