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PubMed · 8101450

Ecstasy--dental implications.

A J Duxbury
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Abstract

Ecstasy (also known as 'love drug', 'XTC' or 'E') is the name commonly used for the illegal designer drug related to amphetamine, 3,4 methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA). MDMA was patented in 1914 as an appetite suppressant, has been investigated as a mood modifying agent, but with its predecessor 3,4 methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) is now widely (and wrongly), promoted as a safe, non-toxic means to 'warm loving relaxation'.

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3,4-MethylenedioxyamphetamineAdolescentAdultCarbonated BeveragesDental CariesDesigner DrugsHumansN-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamineSucroseTooth ErosionXerostomiaJournal Article

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A J Duxbury. 1993-07-10. Ecstasy--dental implications.. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4808200

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PubMed2004

Interpretation of a 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) blood level: discussion by means of a distribution study in two fatalities.

The amphetamine derivative 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy" is a currently used or abused designer drug and fatalities are frequently encountered in forensic practice. However, the question remains open whether an MDMA blood level can be toxic or even potentially lethal. In order to provide insight in the interpretation of a detected MDMA concentration, the distribution of MDMA and its metabolite 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in various body fluids and tissues was studied and discussed in two different fatalities. Apart from peripheral blood samples (such as femoral and subclavian blood), various blood samples obtained centrally in the human body and several body fluids (such as vitreous humour) were examined. In addition, various tissues such as cardiac muscle, lungs, liver, kidneys, and brain lobes were analysed. In contrast to the peripheral blood levels, high MDMA and MDA levels were found in cardiac blood and the majority of the organs, except for the abdominal adipose tissue. The high concentrations observed in all lung lobes, the liver and stomach contents indicate that post-mortem redistribution of MDMA and MDA into cardiac blood can occur and, as a result, blood sampled centrally in the body should be avoided. Therefore, our data confirm that peripheral blood sampling remains "the golden standard". In addition, a distinct difference in peripheral blood MDMA concentrations in our two overdose cases was established (namely 0.271 and 13.508 microg/ml, respectively). Furthermore, our results suggest that, if a peripheral blood sample is not available and when putrefaction is not too pronounced, vitreous humour and iliopsoas muscle can be valuable specimens for toxicological analysis. Finally, referring to the various mechanisms of death following amphetamine intake, which can result in different survival times (e.g. cardiopulmonary complications versus hyperthermia), the anatomo-pathological findings and the toxicological results should be considered as a whole in arriving at a conclusion.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗
PubMed2004

Is ecstasy MDMA? A review of the proportion of ecstasy tablets containing MDMA, their dosage levels, and the changing perceptions of purity.

AIMS: Not every tablet sold as "ecstasy" contains MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). The historical origins and evolution of this mismatch will be reviewed, in order to estimate the proportions of ecstasy tablets containing MDMA at different periods over the past 30 years. METHODS: Surveys into the pharmacological constituents of ecstasy tablets, dosage levels, and empirical reports of their perceived purity, provide the main data for this review. RESULTS: During the 1980s and early 1990s there were few problems with the purity of ecstasy tablets, and the biochemical evidence shows that they nearly always contained MDMA. During the mid-1990s, the majority of ecstasy tablets continued to contain MDMA, while many others comprised MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine), MDEA (3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine), or amphetamine drug mixtures. However, a small proportion (4-20% according to survey, time and place), comprised non-amphetamine drugs such as caffeine, ephedrine, ketamine, paracetamol, or placebo. During the late 1990s, the proportion of ecstasy tablets containing MDMA increased to around 80-90%. The latest reports suggest that non-MDMA tablets are now very infrequent, with purity levels between 90% and 100%. Dosage levels of tablets are also highly variable, with low dose tablet often encountered during the mid-1990s, and high dose tablets now seen more frequently. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings will be debated. CONCLUSIONS: The ecstasy purity problem was predominantly a phenomenon of the mid to late 1990s, when many tablets contained substances other than MDMA. Before and since then, the proportion of ecstasy tablets containing MDMA has been very high.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗
PubMed2004

High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection for the simultaneous determination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methamphetamine and their metabolites in human hair using DIB-Cl as a label.

This paper describes a highly sensitive HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), amphetamine (AP) and methamphetamine (MP) in human hair samples. The amphetamines investigated were derivatized with the fluorescent reagent, DIB-Cl to yield highly fluorescent DIB-derivatives, which were then analyzed by HPLC with fluorescence detection at excitation and emission wavelengths of 325 nm and 430 nm, respectively. The separation was achieved on an ODS column with an isocratic mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-methanol-water (30:40:30, v/v/v). The limits of detection for the four compounds obtained by the proposed method ranged from 11 to 200 pg/mg. The method was successfully applied to the determination of MDMA and MDA in hair samples obtained from MDMA abuser.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗