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Aplastic anaemia following exposure to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('Ecstasy').

J C Marsh, Z H Abboudi, F M Gibson, J Scopes, S Daly, D F O'Shaunnessy, A S Baughan, E C Gordon-Smith

British Journal of Haematology October 1, 1994 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1994.tb05019.x (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case study Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 2
Population Young adults presenting with aplastic anaemia following exposure to 'Ecstasy' (MDMA)
Duration Follow-up until haematological recovery, 7-9 weeks after presentation
Measures long-term bone marrow culture study
Topics MDMA
Keywords Hematopoietic stem cells Cells, cultured Bone marrow Humans Anemia, aplastic Substance-related disorders N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine Designer drugs Blood cell count Follow-up studies Adolescent Adult Female
Key findings In two reported cases, aplastic anaemia following exposure to 'Ecstasy' (MDMA) resolved spontaneously 7-9 weeks after presentation. Long-term bone marrow culture in one patient showed complete normalization of haemopoiesis at haematological recovery, which the authors suggest indicates either transient damage to the haemopoietic stem cell or that a more mature, committed progenitor cell was the target. The authors recommend close haematological monitoring of young adults with MDMA toxicity and detailed recreational drug histories in new aplastic anaemia patients.

Abstract

We report two cases of aplastic anaemia following exposure to 'Ecstasy' (MDMA, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). In both cases the aplastic anaemia resolved spontaneously 7-9 weeks after presentation. Long-term bone marrow culture study of one patient demonstrated complete normalization of haemopoiesis at time of haematological recovery, suggesting either that damage to the haemopoietic stem cell had been only transient, or that a more mature, committed progenitor cell was the target. Because MDMA may have been a factor in the aetiology of the bone marrow suppression in these two cases, we recommend close haematological monitoring of young adults presenting with toxicity from MDMA, and a detailed history of exposure to recreational drugs in all new patients presenting with aplastic anaemia.

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

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