Visual hallucination

Crude preparations of mescaline (61) from peyote were first reported by the Spanish as they learned of its use from the natives of Mexico during the Spanish invasion of that country in the sixteenth century. The colorful history (44) of mescaline has drawn attention to its use as a hallucinogen and even today it is in use among natives of North and South America. Although in connection with dmg abuse complaints, mescaline is considered dangerous, it has been reported (45) that it is not a narcotic nor is it habituating. It was also suggested that its sacramental use in the Native American Church of the United States be permitted since it appears to provoke only visual hallucination while the subject retains clear consciousness and awareness. 

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is considered the second most common cause of dementia after AD. The disorder is characterized by progressive fluctuating cognitive impairment, visual hallucinations and motor features of Parkinsonism. Neocoitical cholinergic activity is more severely depleted in DLB than in AD, and DLB also affects the caudate nucleus, the thalamus and the brain stem. Tolerability of ChEI in DLB appears similar to AD, with some gastrointestinal effects and muscle cramps. 

Parkinson s disease (PD) patients may suffer cognitive and behavioural impairments including apathy, personality changes and visual hallucinations, with no currently recommended treatment. Their significant cholinergic deficits led to recommendation of ChEI therapeutics. 

Severe Delirium with auditory or visual hallucinations and confusion, delusional thinking, autonomic instability with hypertension, increased temperature, severe agitation, horizontal nystagmus... 

Alcohol Health Res World 22 122-123, 1998 Solhkhah R, Finkel J, Hird S Possible risperidone-induced visual hallucinations. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 39 1074-1073, 2000 Solhkhah R, Wilens TE, Prince JB, et al Bupropion sustained release for substance abuse, ADHD, and mood disorders in adolescents (NR31), in New Research Absrracts, Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Associarion. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Associarion, 2001... 

Select azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole) and the echinocandins are available for IA treatment. For initial therapy of IA, voriconazole had higher response and survival rates than c-AMB.102 An advantage of voriconazole is its 96% oral bioavailability, making use of this oral drug an attractive and less expensive alternative. The dose of voriconazole was 6 mg/kg IV every 12 hours for two doses, followed by 4 mg/kg IV every 12 hours for at least 7 days, at which time oral voriconazole 200 mg every 12 hours could be administered. Common toxicities reported with voriconazole include infusion-related, transient visual disturbances (i.e., blurred vision, altered color perception, photophobia, and visual hallucinations), skin reactions (i.e., rash, pruritus, and photosensitivity), elevations in hepatic transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, nausea, and headache.102 In addition, voriconazole increases the serum concentrations of medications cleared by cytochrome P-450 2C9, 2C19, and 3A4 (e.g., cyclophosphamide and calcineurin inhibitors) concomitant voriconazole-sirolimus should be avoided.103... 

Two case reports describe symptoms such as insomnia, headache, tremulousness, irritability, and visual hallucinations when taking phenelzine concurrently with ginseng [43,44]. Reduction of the international normalized ratio (INR) may be observed when ginseng and warfarin are taken together [45]. 

Hallucinogen A drug that disturbs sensory perception. Visual hallucinations are the most common effect of the psychedelic drug LSD. In contrast, auditory hallucinations predominate in schizophrenia. 

Numbness and tingling of the limbs, twitching of the facial muscles, inability to coordinate muscular activity, nausea, visual hallucinations, and a deep stupor are characteristic. Macroscopia is frequent, entering into Waika belief about the spirits that dwell within the plant. Levitation, or a sensation of floating in air or flying, is reported. 

Those experiencing intoxication with Henbane feel a pressure in the head, a sensation as if someone were closing the eyelids by force sight becomes unclear, objects are distorted in shape, and the most unusual visual hallucinations are induced. Gustatory and olfactory hallucinations frequently accompany the intoxication. Eventually sleep, disturbed by dreams and hallucinations, ends the inebriation. 

Psychic symptoms alterations in mood (happy, sad, or irritable at varying times), tension, distorted time sense, difficulty in expressing thoughts, depersonalization, dreamlike feeling, and visual hallucinations. 

BZ is undeniably psychotomimetic, but only in the broad sense that it causes a true loss of contact with reality. It also lacks most of the distinguishing features of the natural psychoses. Schizophrenia, for example, rarely produces visual hallucinations. BZ, on the other hand, seldom produces well-organized delusions (as may occur with LSD). BZ does not produce persistent social withdrawal, as seen in chronic schizophrenia, nor does it create the annoying overfriendliness of the manic phase of bipolar disorder. 

Psychotic Disorders. Patient descriptions of flashback experiences occasionally resemble those of auditory or visual hallucinations. In addition, the numbing and affective restriction of PTSD can resemble the affective flattening of schizophrenia. Finally, some evidence indicates that those with chronic psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia are more vulnerable to trauma, creating the possibility of comorbid PTSD and psychosis. Flashbacks can be distinguished from hallucinations in that the sounds and visions described by a patient with PTSD during a flashback represent a reexperiencing of an earlier traumatic event. The content of the flashback, therefore, is either directly or indirectly tied to the trauma. 

Also known to be hallucinogenic are the indole derivatives psilocin and psilocybin found in the so-called magic mushrooms, Psilocybe species. Ingestion of these small fungi causes visual hallucinations with rapidly changing shapes and colours. Psilocybin is the phosphate of psilocin although based on 4-hydroxytryptamine, they also act on 5-HT receptors. 

Nalorphine was the first compound used for narcotic (heroin in particular) overdose treatment however, it exhibits a number of side effects such as visual hallucinations, and therefore its use is prohibited in some countries. The most popular synonym for this drug is narkan. 

Behavior changes Isolated instances of bizarre behavior, including mental confusion and visual hallucinations, have been reported in patients taking benzonatate in combination with other prescribed drugs. 

Sedation headache dizziness mental confusion visual hallucinations constipation nausea Gl upset pruritus skin eruptions nasal congestion sensation of burning in the eyes a vague chilly sensation chest numbness hypersensitivity. 

Manifestations of chronic intoxication Severe dermatoses, marked insomnia, irritability, hyperactivity, and personality changes have occurred. Disorganization of thoughts, poor concentration, visual hallucinations, and compulsive behavior often occur. The most severe manifestation of chronic intoxication is psychosis, often clinically indistinguishable from paranoid schizophrenia. This is rare with oral amphetamines. 

Adverse reactions include the following Hypotension palpitations tachycardia drowsiness restlessness excitation nervousness insomnia euphoria blurred vision diplopia vertigo tinnitus auditory and visual hallucinations (particularly when dosage recommendations are exceeded) urticaria rash dry mouth anorexia nausea vomiting diarrhea constipation cholestatic jaundice (cyclizine) urinary frequency difficult urination urinary retention dry nose and throat. 

Hallucinosis/psychotic-like symptoms. Tizanidine use has been associated with hallucinations. Formed, visual hallucinations or delusions have been reported. 

Encephalopathy - Impaired cognition confusion obtundation altered mental status auditory/visual hallucinations psychosis (delirium, paranoia) mood changes (eg, mania, agitation, combativeness) diffuse hypotonus hyperreflexia myoclonus tremor asterixis involuntary movements major motor seizures lethargy/stupor/coma diffuse weakness. Approximately one-third of patients with a diagnosis of encephalopathy may have had... 

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a common neurodegenerative dementia, which mainly occurs in late life (McKeith et al., 1996). The main clinical symptoms include visual hallucinations, parkinsonism and disturbances of consciousness, in the context of a global cognitive dysfunction with prominent... 

---