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The Complications of 'Ecstasy' (MDMA)

Jamyl Alrazi

JAMA March 18, 1988 DOI: 10.1001/jama.1988.03720110019021 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 1
Population A single human subject
Interventions 3 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
Dose 100 to 150 mg
Topics MDMA
Keywords Drug Anesthesia Pharmacology
Citations 91
Key findings A 100 to 150 mg dose of MDMA produced nearly fatal toxicity with blood levels of 6500 and 7000 ng/mL, whereas similar doses previously used by psychiatrists had not been reported to cause toxic effects.

Abstract

To the Editor. —Drs Brown and Osterloh,1in a recent letter inTHE JOURNAL, reported a nearly fatal toxic reaction to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The estimated dose of MDMA administered was 100 to 150 mg and the blood levels, measured at one and two hours after hospital admission, were 6500 and 7000 ng/mL, respectively. Before MDMA became a Schedule 1 drug on July 1, 1985,2it was used in doses of 100 to 150 mg by some psychiatrists who claimed that it was effective as a psychotropic catalyst and a sensory disinhibitor; at these doses, no toxic effects were reported. (The experiment was performed on March 12, 1985, before the scheduling of MDMA and was carried out by one of us [J.A.] in partial requirement for the degree of Doctor of Physiology.) At that time, we carried out a controlled study of MDMA metabolism and disposition in a single

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on MDMA, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA Individuals whose deaths were associated with MDMA or MDEA use 1987 Case series n = 5
Pathology of deaths associated with "ecstasy" and "eve" misuse. Young white men aged 20 to 25 who died after using ring-substituted amphetamines (MDMA... 1996 Case series n = 7
'Eve' and 'Ecstasy' Individuals who died after using MDMA or MDEA 1987 Case series n = 5
A Method of Conducting Therapeutic Sessions with MDMA Clients with clear therapeutic purpose, excluding those with serious functional... 1998 Case study n = 2
Diversity of Psychopathology Associated with use of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’) Psychiatric patients presenting between 1990 and 1992 whose symptoms developed in the... 1994 Case series n = 13

Citations in the library

Cited by 34

and 29 more in the library

Cites 3

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