Treatment plan for acute and chronic adrenergic poisoning crisis utilizing sympatholytic effects of the B1-B2 receptor site blocker propranolol (Inderal) in concert with diazepam and urine acidification.

In a large series of patients who have abused a variety of commercially available "amphetamine-like" agents as well as "street drugs" with CNS stimulant activity, the specific lytic effects of propranolol (Inderal) were utilized to reverse the dangerous hyperkinetic cardiovascular and frightening CNS phenomena noted in these non-comatose individuals. Presented here is a logical and clinically proven mode of therapy by which the authors have consistently, successfully, and safely managed such patients in "adrenergic crisis" by judicious titration of electrolytes, propranolol, and diazepam.