Sweat Testing of MDMA with the Drugwipe(R) Analytical Device: A Controlled Study with Two Volunteers
Roberta Pacifici, Magı́ Farré, Simona Pichini, Jordi Ortuño, Pere N. Roset, Piergiorgio Zuccaro, Juan Segura, Rafael de la Torre
Journal of Analytical Toxicology March 1, 2001 DOI: 10.1093/jat/25.2.144 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2 |
| Population | Healthy volunteers familiar with MDMA effects |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 100 mg single oral dose |
| Duration | 48-hour collection period |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Sweat Urine Metabolite Drugs of abuse Hallucinogen Pharmacology Chromatography |
| Citations | 50 |
| Key findings | Drugwipe sweat testing detected MDMA from 2 to 12 hours after a single 100 mg dose, but a false-positive color change occurred in one volunteer before dosing. |
Abstract
Rapid on-site tests for the analysis of drugs of abuse in unconventional specimens (e.g., sweat) have recently been developed. Two healthy volunteers familiar with the effects of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) were given 100 mg of the drug as a single oral dose. MDMA and its main metabolite 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA) were determined in plasma and urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). MDMA was also investigated in sweat with the Drugwipe (an immunochemical strip test). Subjects' armpits were swabbed for 10 s at 0 time (predose) and at 2, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h after MDMA administration. MDMA consumption could be detected using Drugwipe at 2 h and for as long as 12 h after drug administration. However, in one of the volunteers, a faint color change appeared at 0 time, when plasma and urine tested negative for MDMA and did not disappear even 48 h later. Plasma concentrations of MDMA and HMMA measured by GC-MS peaked at 2-4 h, and values greater than 20 ng/mL for MDMA and of 40 ng/mL for HMMA were still detected at 24 h. Urine tested positive by GC-MS for MDMA and HMMA in the 48-h collection period. These findings preliminarily support sweat testing with Drugwipe for monitoring MDMA use.
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 |