Ecstasy-Induced Rhabdomyolysis Leading to Severe Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Temporary Hemodialysis: A High Risk for Recurrence With Repeated Exposure.
Sabastain F Forsah, Bibi Razak, Divine Besong Arrey Agbor, Gnama Kouyate, Tristan Cossaro, Sonia Dadlani, Anum Humayun
Cureus July 1, 2024 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.64010 (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 who used MDMA two times |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Drug use Hemodialysis Methylenedioxymethyl-amphetamine Drug toxicity Kidney failure aki Renal failure Acute kidney injury MDMA Ecstasy Rhabdomyolysis muscle breakdown |
| Key findings | A patient developed severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis after each of two MDMA uses. |
Abstract
Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethyl-amphetamine, MDMA) is an illicit drug that has found widespread use. It is mostly used by adolescents and young adults, particularly during intense and prolonged dance parties for its mood-enhancing properties. Despite these pleasurable effects, users may have potentially serious side effects including death. One of the serious side effects is rhabdomyolysis, which can proceed to severe acute kidney failure. Due to different personal characteristics, some individuals taking the same dose of MDMA may experience more adverse effects than others. Individuals who experience adverse effects are more likely to experience them with each use. Our patient used MDMA two times in his life, and on each occasion, he had severe rhabdomyolysis with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring temporary hemodialysis. Health professionals should screen all adolescents and young adults for illicit drug use during each encounter and counsel them against it.
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
Cites 4
- Human Pharmacology of MDMA Therapeutic Drug Monitoring March 19, 2004
- Prevalence and Correlates of Past Year Ecstasy/MDMA Use in the United States. Journal of Addiction Medicine
- The agony of ecstasy: MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) and the kidney. Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN November 2008
- Acute toxic effects of 'Ecstasy' (MDMA) and related compounds: overview of pathophysiology and clinical management. British Journal of Anaesthesia June 2006