Substance Use: Drug Slang, Effects & Toxidromes

Marijuana (cannabis)

Weed/pot/grass/herb/Mary Jane/dope/bud/ganja - red eyes; dry mouth; tachycardia; anxiety; impaired coordination

Synthetic cannabinoids

K2/Spice - severe agitation; seizures; tachycardia; vomiting; psychosis; much more dangerous than marijuana

Cocaine

Coke/blow/snow/powder/white - stimulant: tachycardia; hypertension; dilated pupils; chest pain; agitation

Crack cocaine

Crack/rock/base - smoked form of cocaine with a faster and more intense effect

Heroin

Smack/H/junk/black tar/dope - opioid: pinpoint pupils; slow breathing; decreased consciousness

Fentanyl

China white/Apache/fetty/Dance Fever - very potent opioid; often hidden in counterfeit pills; may need multiple naloxone doses

Counterfeit pills

Fake M30 (oxycodone)/blues/"percs" - may contain fentanyl

Oxycodone

Oxy/percs/30s/blues - prescription opioid: pinpoint pupils; slow breathing

Hydrocodone

Vikes/Vicodin/Norco - prescription opioid

Xylazine

Tranq/tranq dope - veterinary sedative mixed with opioids; causes sedation and skin wounds; naloxone does NOT reverse it

Methamphetamine

Meth/crystal/ice/speed/glass/crank/tweak - stimulant: agitation; paranoia; hyperthermia; tachycardia; dilated pupils

Amphetamines (Adderall)

Addys/uppers/speed - stimulant effects like meth but milder

MDMA

Ecstasy/Molly/X/E - hyperthermia; dehydration; jaw clenching; tachycardia; low sodium risk

LSD

Acid/tabs/blotter - hallucinations; dilated pupils; anxiety; tachycardia

Psilocybin

Shrooms/magic mushrooms - hallucinations; dilated pupils; nausea; anxiety

PCP

Angel dust/wet/sherm - combative; superhuman strength; nystagmus; hypertension; violent behavior

Ketamine

Special K/K/Kit Kat - dissociation; confusion; increased BP and heart rate

GHB

Liquid ecstasy/G/Georgia Home Boy - CNS depressant: drowsiness; vomiting; slow breathing; coma

Rohypnol

Roofies/date rape drug - sedative: memory loss; drowsiness; impaired coordination

Benzodiazepines

Benzos/Xannies/bars/downers (Xanax/Valium) - sedation; slurred speech; slow breathing; dangerous with alcohol or opioids

Barbiturates

Barbs/reds/downers - sedation; respiratory depression

Bath salts (synthetic cathinones)

Flakka/bath salts - severe agitation; paranoia; hyperthermia; tachycardia; violent behavior

Inhalants

Huffing/whippets (nitrous oxide)/poppers (amyl nitrite)/glue/paint - dizziness; confusion; sudden sniffing death (arrhythmia)

Dextromethorphan (DXM)

Robo/skittles/dex - hallucinations; agitation; tachycardia; high BP at large doses

Alcohol (ethanol)

ETOH/booze - slurred speech; poor coordination; vomiting; aspiration risk; hypoglycemia

Opioid toxidrome

Pinpoint pupils; slow breathing; decreased consciousness; treat with airway/ventilation and naloxone

Stimulant toxidrome

Dilated pupils; tachycardia; hypertension; agitation; high temperature; sweating

Sedative/hypnotic toxidrome

Slurred speech; drowsiness; slow breathing; normal or small pupils

Hallucinogen presentation

Dilated pupils; altered perception; anxiety; tachycardia; unpredictable behavior