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Death following ingestion of MDMA (ecstasy) and moclobemide

Erkki Vuori, John A. Henry, Ilkka Ojanperä, Raija Nieminen, Taru Savolainen, Pia Wahlsten, Matti Jäntti

Addiction February 20, 2003 DOI: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2003.00292.x (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case series Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 4
Population People who died after ingesting moclobemide and MDMA
Interventions Moclobemide MDMA
Topics MDMA Serotonin
Keywords Moclobemide Ingestion Hallucinogen Drug Serotonin syndrome Pharmacology
Citations 113
Key findings Four deaths resulted from serotonin syndrome caused by the interaction of moclobemide and MDMA, taken together to enhance the effects of MDMA.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Four deaths following the ingestion of moclobemide and MDMA (‘ecstasy’) are described. The probable cause of death in each case was serotonin syndrome as a result of an interaction between the two drugs. As none of the victims had been prescribed moclobemide it seems that each had taken the drug to enhance the effects of MDMA, with fatal consequences. Warnings are needed against misinformed attempts to potentiate the pharmacological effects of illicit drugs.

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