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.
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 29
- Human Pharmacology of MDMA Therapeutic Drug Monitoring March 19, 2004
- Serotonin toxicity of serotonergic psychedelics Psychopharmacology July 12, 2021
- Death rates from ecstasy (MDMA, MDA) and polydrug use in England and Wales 1996–2002 Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental September 19, 2003
- Safety and Side Effects of Ayahuasca in Humans—An Overview Focusing on Developmental Toxicology Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2013
- Drug-drug interactions between psychiatric medications and MDMA or psilocybin: a systematic review Psychopharmacology March 7, 2022
and 24 more in the library
Cites 11
- Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of ‘Ecstasy’ users and their experiences with the drug British Journal of Addiction August 1, 1992
- Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry June 1, 2000
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA JAMA March 27, 1987
- Pathology of deaths associated with "ecstasy" and "eve" misuse. Journal of Clinical Pathology February 1, 1996
- The Background and Chemistry of MDMA Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
and 6 more in the library