Complete dosage information for PCP — threshold, light, common, strong, and heavy dose ranges across 3 routes of administration.
Full PCP profileImportant Safety Notice
Dosage information is for harm reduction purposes only. Individual sensitivity varies greatly. Always start with the lowest effective dose and work your way up slowly. Never eyeball doses — use a milligram scale.
PCP overdose is a medical emergency that can be fatal. The most dangerous complications are seizures, stroke (from severe hypertension), hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis leading to kidney failure, respiratory depression, and trauma from psychosis-driven behavior. ## Recognizing PCP Overdose - Seizures (generalized tonic-clonic) - Unresponsiveness or coma - Extremely high blood pressure (stroke risk) - Very high body temperature (hyperthermia above 40°C/104°F) - Rapid horizontal or vertical nystagmus (involuntary eye movements) - Severe muscle rigidity - Violent, bizarre, or catatonic behavior - Apparent insensitivity to pain with self-injurious behavior - Dark or reduced urine output (rhabdomyolysis sign) ## Emergency Response 1. **Call 911 immediately.** PCP overdose requires hospital-level management. Be specific: "The person may have taken PCP. They are [describe symptoms]." Good Samaritan laws protect you 2. **Do not attempt physical restraint** unless the person is in immediate danger of severe injury (falling from height, entering traffic). PCP abolishes pain and produces extreme endurance -- restraint attempts can injure both parties and can worsen rhabdomyolysis 3. **Reduce stimulation.** Quiet environment, dim lights, calm voices. Sensory stimulation worsens PCP-related agitation 4. **If seizing**, protect the head. Do not put anything in the mouth. Time the seizure. Call 911 if not already done 5. **If unresponsive and not breathing**, begin CPR 6. **Monitor temperature.** If the person feels extremely hot, apply cool water to skin and move to a cooler environment while waiting for emergency services ## Hospital Management In the emergency department, first-line treatment for PCP agitation is benzodiazepines (typically IV lorazepam or diazepam). Active cooling is used for hyperthermia. Aggressive IV fluid resuscitation is critical if rhabdomyolysis is suspected (to protect the kidneys). Urine acidification -- once recommended to accelerate PCP excretion -- is no longer used because it worsens rhabdomyolysis-induced kidney damage. Seizures are treated with benzodiazepines. Severe hypertension may require IV antihypertensives. Physical restraint in medical settings follows specific protocols to minimize rhabdomyolysis risk.
A common insufflated dose of PCP is 4–8 mg.
The threshold dose for PCP via insufflated is approximately 1 mg.
PCP typically lasts 4–6 hours via insufflated.
PCP can be taken via insufflated, smoked, oral. Each route has different dosage ranges and onset times.
