Phencyclidine Psychosis

A case of prolonged psychotic behavior is described of a 20-year-old female following the ingestion of an illicitly obtained powder probably containing phencyclidine. The various psychiatric manifestations of phencyclidine intoxications are reviewed. The benefit of treating the toxic phase with psychotropic drugs is questionable. Hospitalization, supportive measures and urine acidification appear to be the treatments of choice for patients experiencing a toxic psychosis caused by phencyclidine.