Death by "ecstasy": the serotonin syndrome?

Ann Emerg Med. 1998 Sep;32(3 Pt 1):377-80. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(98)70018-6.

Abstract

"Ecstasy" or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a popular drug of abuse and is generally regarded as safe by the lay public. There are an increasing number of reports of MDMA-induced toxicity that exhibit features of the serotonin syndrome. We report a case of severe hyperthermia, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction after a single recreational ingestion of MDMA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / chemically induced
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced
  • Cognition Disorders / chemically induced
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / chemically induced
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fever / chemically induced
  • Hallucinogens / poisoning*
  • Humans
  • Hypotension / chemically induced
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / poisoning*
  • Serotonin Agents / poisoning*
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Hallucinogens
  • Serotonin Agents
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine