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Substance-induced psychosis occurs due to exposure to a drug of abuse, medication or toxin. Symptoms can occur with intoxication or withdrawal of a drug. Symptoms will stop when exposure to the substance is discontinued.

SYMPTOMS

Major symptoms of psychosis are delusions and/or hallucinations. Delusions are fixed and false beliefs that are not in line with an individual’s culture or character. Other symptoms include unclear thoughts, being upset and/or violent outbursts.

SUBSTANCES THAT MAY TRIGGER PSYCHOSIS

Drugs Of Abuse

  • LSD

  • Marijuana

  • MDMA/Ecstasy

  • Mescaline

  • Methamphetamine

  • Synthetic cannabinoids (i.e., “spice”)

  • PCP (phencyclidine)

  • Psilocybin-containing mushrooms

  • Salvia divinorum

  • Synthetic “designer drugs”

TREATMENT

Medications

  • Abacavir

  • Acyclovir

  • Amantadine

  • Amphetamines

  • Anabolic steroids (i.e., testosterone, methyltestosterone)

  • Atropine

  • Barbiturates

  • Benzodiazepines

  • Bromocriptine

  • Bupropion

  • Chloroquine

  • Corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone, etc.)

  • Dextromethorphan

  • Digoxin

  • Diphenhydramine

  • Disopyramide

  • Dronabinol

  • Efavirenz

  • Indomethacin

  • Interferon alfa-2a/2b

  • Levodopa

  • Mefloquine

  • Meperidine

  • Methylphenidate

  • Nevirapine

  • Pentazocine

  • Pramipexole

  • Propafenone

  • Quinidine

  • Scopolamine

  • Selegiline

  • Zonisamide

Toxins

  • Carbon monoxide

  • Organophosphates

  • Heavy metals (arsenic, manganese, mercury, thallium)

If you or a family member are having concerning symptoms, please call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest emergency room. Treatment is based on the particular medication, drug of abuse or toxin.

DOWNLOAD AND DISTRIBUTE

The PDF of this patient education handout is available for easy download and distribution to your patients at www.acofp.org/PEH.

SOURCE(S): American Psychiatric Association; National Alliance on Mental Illness; UpToDate®


The Osteopathic Family Physician Patient Handout is a public service of ACOFP. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in many instances; however, they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis by a physician. For specific information concerning your medical condition, ACOFP suggests that you consult your family physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other healthcare professionals to share with their patients.