Intoxicación aguda por MDMA Serie de casos
ACUTE INTOXICATION BY MDMA (ECTASY) REPORT OF 4 CONSECUTIVE PATIENTS
Prensa méd. argent; 103 (5), 2017
Publication year: 2017
Drugs are a rising problem with today
teens. One of these up and coming substances is ectasy. Properly known as MDMA
(methyldioxymethamphetamine), is most
commonly used at clubes, raves, and atmospheres where there are a lot of people and
loud music.
MDMA commonly known as ectasy, is
a psychoactive drug used as a recreational
drug. Desidered effects of its abuse include
empathy, euphoria and heightened sensations. When taken by mouth effects begin
after 30-45 minutes and lasts 3-5 hours.
Adverse effects of MDMA use include addiction, memory problems, paranoia, difficulty sleeping, blurred vision, sweating and a
rapid heartheat. Use may also lead to depression and fatigue. Deaths have been reported
due to increased body temperature and dehydration. MDMA influences in neurotransmitters serotonin. MDMA generally is illegal in most countries. In general, MDMA
users begin reporting effects within 30 to 50
minutes of consumption. The most serious
short-term physical health risks of MDMA
are hyperthermia and dehydration. Cases
of life-threatening or fatal hyponatremia
(excessively low sodium concentration in
the blood) have developed in MDMA users
attemping to prevent dehydration by consuming excessive amount of water without
replenishing electrolytes. MDMA overdose
intoxication symptoms vary widely due to
the involvement of multiple organ system.
In most fatalities MDMA was not the only drug involved. Acute toxicity is mainly
caused by serotonin syndrome and sympthomimetic effects. MDMA´s toxicity in overdose may be exacerbated by caffeine, with
which it is frequently cut (mixed with to
increase volume). Caffeine provokes adverse
interactions with MDMA ectasy. Polydipsia is another mechanism of hyponatremia
after ectasy ingestion. During april 2016,
four patients comming from an electronic
party were assisted at the Emergentology
service from the “Juan Fernandez” hospital
from the city of Buenos Aires. The clinical
features of these patients are described, and
the treatment and the evolution observed,
are documented.