What is the primary treatment for PCP overdose?

The primary treatment for PCP (phencyclidine) overdose focuses on monitoring and supporting the patient's breathing. PCP is a dissociative anesthetic that can cause severe agitation, hallucinations, and respiratory depression. In cases of overdose, the patient's vital signs, including respiratory rate and depth, can become compromised, necessitating close monitoring and supportive care.

Assuring adequate ventilation and maintaining the airway are critical because respiratory failure can be a serious consequence of an overdose. This management may involve supplemental oxygen or, in severe cases, assisted ventilation if the patient is unable to breathe adequately on their own.

While other treatment approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or intensive psychotherapy, can be beneficial for long-term substance use disorder, they are not immediate interventions for an acute overdose situation. Similarly, administering caffeine is not indicated as a treatment for PCP overdose and does not address the immediate respiratory and hemodynamic stabilization required in such cases. Thus, the emphasis on monitoring and supporting breathing is paramount in the acute setting of PCP overdose.