The serotonin uptake inhibitor citalopram reduces acute cardiovascular and vegetative effects of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’) in healthy volunteers
Matthias E. Liechti, Franz X. Vollenweider
Journal of Psychopharmacology May 1, 2000 DOI: 10.1177/026988110001400313 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Double-blind placebo-controlled study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 16 |
| Population | Healthy volunteers |
| Interventions | Citalopram MDMA |
| Dose | 40 mg i.v. citalopram, 1.5 mg/kg p.o. MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Keywords | Citalopram Serotonin syndrome Dopamine Pharmacology Hallucinogen Catecholamine Norepinephrine Anesthesia Endocrinology |
| Citations | 144 |
| Key points | Citalopram reduced MDMA-induced increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and side effects but not body temperature, indicating that these effects are partly mediated by serotonin release. |
Abstract
MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or ‘Ecstasy’ is a widely used recreational drug that produces a state of heightened mood but also cardiovascular and vegetative side-effects. In animals, MDMA releases serotonin and, to a lesser extent, dopamine and norepinephrine. The release of serotonin can be blocked by serotonin uptake inhibitors such as citalopram. It is unknown to what extent this mechanism is also responsible for the physiological side-effects of MDMA seen in humans. We investigated the effect of citalopram pretreatment (40 mg i.v.) on vegetative and cardiovascular effects of MDMA (1.5 mg/kg p.o.) in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in 16 healthy volunteers. MDMA moderately increased blood pressure and heart rate, slightly elevated body temperature and produced a broad range of acute and shortterm side-effects. Citalopram reduced all these MDMA-induced physiological changes except for body temperature. These findings suggest that physiological effects of MDMA in humans are partially due to an interaction of MDMA with the serotonin carrier and a subsequent release of serotonin.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 82
- The safety and efficacy of {+/-}3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy in subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder: the first randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 19, 2010
- Which neuroreceptors mediate the subjective effects of MDMA in humans? A summary of mechanistic studies Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
- The pharmacology of the acute hyperthermic response that follows administration of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) to rats British Journal of Pharmacology 2002
- Decreased cerebral cortical serotonin transporter binding in ecstasy users: a positron emission tomography/[11C]DASB and structural brain imaging study Brain May 17, 2010
- The Norepinephrine Transporter Inhibitor Reboxetine Reduces Stimulant Effects of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) in Humans Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics June 15, 2011
and 77 more in the library
Cites 22
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- Cardiovascular and neuroendocrine effects and pharmacokinetics of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in humans. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics July 1, 1999
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- Mood and cognitive effects of ± 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’): week‐end ‘high’ followed by mid‐week low Addiction July 1, 1997
and 17 more in the library