Cerebral oedema after ingestion of MDMA (“ecstasy”) and unrestricted intake of water
S M Matthai, J A Sills, D C Davidson, Dionysios Alexandrou
BMJ May 25, 1996 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.312.7042.1359b (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2 |
| Population | Adolescents who had ingested MDMA |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Citations | 68 |
| Key findings | Two adolescents developed clinical effects from syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion after taking MDMA. The authors suggest that unrestricted water intake, commonly believed to combat MDMA side effects, may contribute to this dangerous complication when patients are left to sleep it off. |
Abstract
EDITOR,—3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or “ecstasy”) is a synthetic derivative of amphetamine and a popular recreational drug among young people. It is known to cause severe hyperpyrexia, dehydration, and rhabdomyolysis.1 Unrestricted ingestion of water is commonly believed to be important in combating some of the side effects of ingestion of the drug. We report on two patients who developed clinical effects due to the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone after ingestion of MDMA. These adolescents had been “left to sleep it off” and presented …