Is dantrolene the best way to treat hyperthermia in patients with cocaine abuse

July 10, 2003

August 14, 2008

Dr Joanne Probert, Clinical Fellow Emergency Medicine (Bristol Royal Infirmary)

Dr Jacqui Macnair, Bristol Royal Infirmary

In [patients who are hyperthermic following cocaine abuse] is [adding dantrolene more effective than benzodiazepines alone] at [reducing temperature].

A 26-year-old man attends the emergency department having recently used cocaine. He is hyperthermic. You have heard that dantrolene may have a place in the management of hyperthermia in other situations and wonder whether it would be useful now.

Ovid MEDLINE(R) 1950 to March Week 2 2008. OVID EMBASE 1980 to 2008 Week 11

dantrolene.mp. or exp Dantrolene/or benzodiazepines.mp. or exp Benzodiazepines/or exp Diazepam/or diazepam.mp.] AND [fever.mp. or exp Fever/or exp Temperature/or temperature.mp. or exp Body Temperature/or exp Hyperthermia, Induced/or hyperthermi$.mp. or pyrexia.mp.] AND [exp Cocaine-Related Disorders/or cocaine.mp. or exp Cocaine/]. The Cochrane Library Issue 1 2008. MeSH descriptor Dantrolene explode all trees 27 records 0 relevant records.

61 articles - none relevant

There were studies using dantrolene in hyperthermia but none in cocaine abuse.

There is no data on the use of dantrolene to treat hyperpyrexia associated with cocaine abuse. Local advice should be followed.