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The variability of ecstasy tablets composition in Brazil.

Loraine R Togni, Rafael Lanaro, Rodrigo R Resende, Jose L Costa

Journal of Forensic Sciences 2015 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12584 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study Peer reviewed
Sample size 150
Population Seized ecstasy tablets from São Paulo State Police
Topics MDMA
Keywords Chemical profiling Designer drugs Forensic science Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry Forensic drug analysis Ecstasy composition Illicit drug markets
Citations 54
Key findings MDMA was present in only 44.7% of seized ecstasy tablets, with 20 other active substances identified, indicating a shift away from MDMA in the illicit market.

Abstract

The content of ecstasy tablets has been changing over the years, and nowadays 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is not always present in the tablets. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition in the seized tablets labeled as ecstasy. We analyzed samples from 150 different seizures made by Sao Paulo's State Police by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. MDMA was present in 44.7% of the analyzed samples, and another twenty different active substances were identified in these tablets, such as caffeine, 2C-B, piperazines, amphetamines, phencyclidine, and others. Methamphetamine was present in 22% of these samples. The results demonstrate a huge shift in the pattern of trafficking of synthetic drugs, where MDMA has been replaced in tablets mostly by illicit psychoactive substances, in a clear attempt to bypass the law. The great variability in the tablets composition may lead to an increased risk of drug poisoning.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Individuals who took MDMA in a clinical setting 1986 Observational study
Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users 1998 Observational cohort
Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people 2000 Observational
The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Older, more educated, drug-experienced individuals 1986 Observational cohort
Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Young people who were regular or novice MDMA users, or non-users 1998 Observational cohort n = 30

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