Hyperthermia and severe rhabdomyolysis from synthetic cannabinoids

Synthetic cannabinoids (SC) have exploded on to the scene. With this rise in SC use, the number of complications and potential adverse effects are also well documented in the literature and is on the rise. The most frequently cited side effects are behavioral in nature and range for severe agitation to psychosis and delirium. We report a case of hyperthermia with severe rhabdomyolysis from SC use. Over the past several years, especially during summer months, synthetic cannabinoids (SC) have exploded onto the scene. Their ease of availability, cloudy legal status, and relatively cheap price make them a popular substance among teens and young adults [1-3]. These SC are often referred to as “K2” or “spice.” With this rise in SC use, the number of complications andpotentialadverse effects are alsowell documented in the literature [3-5]. The most frequently cited side effects are behavioral in nature and range from severe agitation to psychosis and delirium. In popular media, there have been multiple highly publicized cases of deaths directly linked to use of K2 and spice. A 27-year-old African American male with a history of schizophre