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Life-Threatening 3,4‐Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA) Usage

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  • First Online:
Handbook of Substance Misuse and Addictions

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Abstract

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), popularly known as “ecstasy,” “E,” “Adam,” “XTC,” “M&M,” or “Molly,” is a synthetic compound of phenethylamine with stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. It is a common recreational street drug affecting young people particularly at urban dance parties in Hong Kong. MDMA abuse is widely reported in electronic dance music (EDM) festivals all over the world. Although uncommon, mortality and serious morbidity occur with recreational use, which is believed to be related to serotonin toxicity. Cyproheptadine has antihistamine and 5-HT antagonist property, which is reported to be an effective agent in managing serotonin syndrome of moderate severity. This chapter reviewed the life-threatening usage of MDMA, serotonin syndrome associated with MDMA abuse in EDM, diagnosis and management and the benefits of cyproheptadine as an antidote.

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Abbreviations

5-HT:

5-Hydroxytryptamine

ABC:

Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

CBC:

Complete Blood Count

CNS:

Central Nervous System

DIC:

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

EDM:

Electronic Dance Music

GCS:

Glasgow Coma Scale

ICU:

Intensive Care Unit

MDMA:

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine

PET:

Positron emission tomography

SSRI:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Accident and Emergency Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

    Francis Kin Chiu Chu

Authors
  1. Francis Kin Chiu Chu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francis Kin Chiu Chu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK

    Vinood B. Patel

  2. Dept of Nutrition & Dietetics, King's College London, London, UK

    Victor R. Preedy

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Chu, F.K.C. (2022). Life-Threatening 3,4‐Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA) Usage. In: Patel, V.B., Preedy, V.R. (eds) Handbook of Substance Misuse and Addictions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67928-6_118-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67928-6_118-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-67928-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-67928-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

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