Methylenedioxyamphetamine. Clinical description of overdose, death, and review of pharmacology
Archives of Internal Medicine October 1, 1981 DOI: 10.1001/archinte.141.11.1507 (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 patient with methylenedioxyamphetamine intoxication |
| Intervention | phentolamine (Regitine) mesylate |
| Topics | Mescaline |
| Keywords | Hyperthermia Coma optics Phentolamine Drug overdose Anesthesia Anticholinergic Pharmacology Hallucinogen Medical emergency Propranolol Poison control Plant-based medicinal research |
| Citations | 55 |
| Key findings | Methylenedioxyamphetamine can cause fatal hyperthermia, coma, and hematologic abnormalities, and phentolamine may be the preferred treatment. |
Abstract
Methylenedioxyamphetamine is a commonly used "street drug", with a reputation of providing a "good trip". The drug is structurally similar to both mescaline and amphetamine. The following symptoms were found in a patient: sympathomimetic effects, coma, seizures, hyperreflexia, and hyperthermia. The patient's condition was initially stabilized and then deteriorated with uncontrollable hyperthermia, hematologic abnormalities, and coma that culminated in death. Since the hyperthermia is based on both central and peripheral mechanisms, phentolamine (Regitine) mesylate may be the preferred drug to be used in the treatment of future cases. The concept that this drug is primarily a hallucinogen with mild toxicity is erroneous.