TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2011//
TI  - Morbidity associated with MDMA (ecstasy) abuse - A survey of emergency department admissions
JO  - Human and experimental toxicology
A1  - Halpern, Pinchas
A1  - Moskovich, Jenny
A1  - Avrahami, Beni
A1  - Bentur, Yedidia
A1  - Soffer, Dror
A1  - Peleg, Kobi
SP  - 259
EP  - 266
VL  - 30
IS  - 4
N2  - Methods: We conducted a prospective, representative-sample nationwide study on morbidity related to 3,4, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 'ecstasy') as determined from admissions to 5 geographically representative emergency departments (EDs) and from data from the poison information center (PIC). MDMA-related ED admissions were analyzed over a 7-month period and the records of all PIC calls were reviewed. Results: There were 52 (age 15-44 years, 32 males) ecstasy-related ED admissions during the study period. Most (68%) admissions presented to the ED at night, 52% on weekends and 44% consumed the drug at clubs and parties. Forty-six percent of the patients took between 1/2 to 3 tablets and 29 patients (56%) had taken ecstasy before. Twenty-two subjects (42%) reported poly-drug use. Fifteen subjects (29%) required hospitalization, six of them (11%) to the intensive care unit. The most common manifestations were restlessness, agitation, disorientation, shaking, high blood pressure, headache and loss of consciousness. More serious complications were hyperthermia, hyponatremia, rhabdomyolysis, brain edema and coma. Conclusion: The image of ecstasy as a safe party drug is spurious. The results of this study confirm that the drug bears real danger of physical harm and of behavioral, psychological and psychiatric disturbances.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0960-3271
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0960327110370984
ID  - ref1
ER  -