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Physical Examination

Physical Examination

Upon examination, both acute and long-term use of methamphetamine can lead to abnormal findings in the following organ systems:

An infographic saying "Clinical examination of the poisoned patient. 1. Rhabdomyolysis e.g. Amphetamines, caffeine. 2. Epigastric tenderness e.g. NSAIDs, salicylates. 3. Right upper quadrant/ renal angle tenderness e.g. Paracetamol hepatoxicity and renal toxicity. 4. Blood pressure - Hypotension: tricyclic antidepressants, haloperidol Hypertension: cocaine, alpha-adrenoceptor agonists. 5. Respiratory rate - Reduced: opioids, benzodiazepines - Increased: salicylates. 6. Pupil size - small: opioids, clonidine - large: tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, antihistamines. 7. Cerebellar signs e.g. Anticonvulsants, alcohol. 8. Extrapyramidal signs e.g. Phenothiazines, haloperidol, metoclopramide. 9, Cyanosis - Any CNS depressant drug or agent causing methemoglobinemia, e.g. dapsone, amyl nitrate. 10. Heart rate - Tachycardia or tachyarrhythmias: tricyclic antidepressants, theophylline, digoxin, antihistamines Bradycardia or bradyarrhythmia's: digoxin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, opioids. 11. Needle tracks - Drugs of misuse: opioids, etc. 12. Body temperature - Hyperthermia and sweating: ecstasy, serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, salicylates. Hypothermia: any CNS depressant, e.g. opioids, chlorpromazine. 
Source: Davidsons Essentials of Medicine, 2e.
  • Cardiovascular
  • Central nervous system
  • Gastrointestinal
  • Renal
  • Skin
  • Dental


Cardiovascular findings are as follows

  • Tachycardia and hypertension are both frequently observed
  • Atrial and ventricular arrhythmias may occur
  • Chest pain from myocardial ischemia and/or infarctions
    • Acute use associated with aneurysms and aortic dissection
    • Chronic use associated with accelerated atherosclerosis
  • Hypotension can be observed in an overdose if significant depletion of catecholamines ensues
  • Coma may also result from catecholamine storage depletion


Respiratory findings are as follows

  • Barotrauma, such as pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and pneumopericardium may occur from forceful inhalation
  • Acute noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and pulmonary hypertension can result from both acute and chronic use
  • Wheezing from reactive airway disease may be induced by methamphetamine


Gastrointestinal findings are as follows

  • Hepatocellular damage may result in acute and chronic abuse. Direct effects originating from this impairment are:
    • Hypotension
    • Hepatoxic contaminants
    • Lipid peroxidation
    • Necrotizing angiitis
  • Severe abdominal pain can occur from acute mesenteric vasoconstriction. Ischemic colitis may also transpire.


Renal failure associated with amphetamines is related to the following

  • Hypoxemia
  • Rhabdomyolysis
  • Necrotizing angiitis
  • Acute interstitial nephritis
  • Cardiovascular shock with subsequent acute tubular necrosis


Skin findings include the following

  • Delusions of parasitosis along with chronic skin-picking are often seen causing prurigo nodularis, also known as “speed bumps”
  • Abscess and cellulitis are common for methamphetamine injectors


Dental examination findings

  • Severe tooth decay, particularly of the maxillary teeth – upper jaw – is common in chronic meth users.
  • This is also referred to as “meth mouth”
  • This finding is the result of maxillary artery vasoconstriction, xerostomia, and poor hygiene.


Information gathered from:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4164186/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430895/