Fatal multi-organ failure after suicidal overdose with MDMA, `Ecstasy': case report and review of the literature
Human & Experimental Toxicology February 1, 1999 DOI: 10.1177/096032719901800209 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A 53-year-old prisoner |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Rhabdomyolysis Ards Anesthesia Poison control Drug overdose Intensive care medicine |
| Citations | 73 |
| Key findings | A 53-year-old prisoner died of multiorgan failure after a suicidal overdose with MDMA, with severe hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, ARDS, DIC, and acute renal failure. |
Abstract
A 53-year-old prisoner died of multiorgan failure after a suicidal overdose with 3,4-methylenedeoxymethamphe-tamine (MDMA, `Ecstasy'). Twelve hours after ingestion of MDMA, the patient became severely hyperthermic (107.2°F) with evidence of rhabdomyolysis. He subsequently developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) and acute renal failure. At autopsy, plasma concentration of MDMA was 3.05 mg/L. This case shows that MDMA is still abused in our community and clinicians should know the symptoms of MDMA intoxication. In particular, MDMA should be considered when patients have symptoms or signs of increased sympathetic activity. The pathophysiology and treatment of MDMA-induced hyperthermia are discussed.
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 23
- Toxicokinetics of Amphetamines: Metabolism and Toxicokinetic Data of Designer Drugs, Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, and Their N-Alkyl Derivatives Therapeutic Drug Monitoring April 1, 2002
- Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Hepatic Metabolism of Designer Drugs of the Amphetamine (Ecstasy), Piperazine, and Pyrrolidinophenone Types Therapeutic Drug Monitoring March 19, 2004
- Ecstasy (MDMA) Deaths in New York City: A Case Series and Review of the Literature Journal of Forensic Sciences 2002
- Attenuation of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy)‐induced rhabdomyolysis with α1‐ plus β3‐adrenoreceptor antagonists British Journal of Pharmacology June 1, 2004
- Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics of (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and Its Pharmacodynamic Consequences in the Rat Drug Metabolism and Disposition October 19, 2013
and 18 more in the library
Cites 29
- Neurotoxicity of the psychedelic amphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1987
- Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
- Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of ‘Ecstasy’ users and their experiences with the drug British Journal of Addiction August 1, 1992
- Hallucinogenic Amphetamine Selectively Destroys Brain Serotonin Nerve Terminals Science September 6, 1985
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA JAMA March 27, 1987
and 24 more in the library