PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Kim Wild
AU  - Hugh Wilson
TI  - Cannabinoid hyperemesis
AID  - 10.1136/emj.01.2010.2605rep
DP  - 2012 Jan 01
TA  - Emergency Medicine Journal
PG  - 67--69
VI  - 29
IP  - 1
4099  - http://emj.bmj.com/content/29/1/67.short
4100  - http://emj.bmj.com/content/29/1/67.full
SO  - Emerg Med J2012 Jan 01; 29
AB  - A 21-year-old woman presented with a 4-week history of sudden onset vomiting, nausea and anorexia. Questioning revealed that she had a 7-year history of heavy cannabis use (smoking). She did not describe abdominal pain, change in bowel habit, antibiotic use, foreign travel or contact with gastroenteritis. Biochemistry results demonstrated mild metabolic derangement with a low potassium and a low bicarbonate, and urine toxicology was positive for cannabinoids. Other investigations, including a full blood count, renal function tests, liver function tests, a coagulation sample, an ECG, urinary β-hCG and a CT head scan, were all normal. A diagnosis of cannabinoid hyperemesis was made and her symptoms resolved after treatment with intravenous fluids, antiemetics and abstinence from cannabis. Since her discharge and abstinence she has had several relapses, each related to cannabis use and each resolving with abstinence. The patient is now seeking cognitive behavioural therapy to achieve permanent abstinence.