Hyponatremia associated with 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine ("Ecstasy") abuse.
Milos N Budisavljevic, Lisa Stewart, Steven A Sahn, David W Ploth
The American journal of the medical sciences August 2003 DOI: 10.1097/00000441-200308000-00006 (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 young woman who developed hyponatremia after MDMA use |
| Intervention | 5% saline |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | MDMA use can lead to acute symptomatic hyponatremia, especially in young premenopausal women, with risk of fatal cerebral herniation; treatment with 5% saline led to complete recovery in this case. |
Abstract
We present a case of acute, symptomatic hyponatremia in a young woman that developed after use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA), more commonly known as "ecstasy." The patient was treated with 5% saline and had complete recovery. The pathogenesis of MDMA-associated hyponatremia involves excessive water intake and inappropriately elevated antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels. It seems that young, premenopausal women are at particularly high risk for the development of severe, symptomatic hyponatremia after use of this drug. Review of the literature revealed 4 fatal outcomes from MDMA-associated hyponatremia. All were women and all died from cerebellar tonsillar herniation. We suggest that acute hyponatremia that develops after MDMA use may be a life-threatening condition. Recent recommendation that MDMA users should drink large volumes of water may not be appropriate.
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 17
- Ecstasy (MDMA, MDA, MDEA, MBDB) consumption, seizures, related offences, prices, dosage levels and deaths in the UK (1994–2003) Journal of Psychopharmacology March 30, 2006
- Sex Differences in the Effects of MDMA (Ecstasy) on Plasma Copeptin in Healthy Subjects The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism June 30, 2011
- Effects of MDMA on body temperature in humans Temperature October 31, 2014
- MDMA interactions with pharmaceuticals and drugs of abuse Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology March 31, 2020
- Key interindividual determinants in MDMA pharmacodynamics Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology January 5, 2018
and 12 more in the library
Cites 9
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA JAMA March 27, 1987
- Pathology of deaths associated with "ecstasy" and "eve" misuse. Journal of Clinical Pathology February 1, 1996
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy' JAMA March 27, 1987
- Multiple Severe Complications From Recreational Ingestion of MDMA ('Ecstasy') JAMA August 14, 1987
- Hyponatraemic states following 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') ingestion The Quarterly journal of medicine July 1, 2002
and 4 more in the library