Death following ingestion of MDMA (ecstasy) and moclobemide
Erkki Vuori, John A. Henry, Ilkka Ojanperä, Raija Nieminen, Taru Savolainen, Pia Wahlsten, Matti Jäntti
Addiction February 20, 2003 DOI: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2003.00292.x via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractFour deaths occurred after people took moclobemide and MDMA ('ecstasy') together. The likely cause of death in each case was serotonin syndrome, a dangerous condition caused by the interaction between the two drugs. None of the victims had a prescription for moclobemide; each apparently took it to boost the effects of MDMA, leading to fatal outcomes. The authors call for warnings against uninformed efforts to enhance the effects of illicit drugs.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 4 |
| Population | People who died after ingesting moclobemide and MDMA |
| Interventions | Moclobemide MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Keywords | Moclobemide Ingestion Hallucinogen |
| Citations | 113 |
| Key finding | Four deaths resulted from serotonin syndrome caused by the interaction of moclobemide and MDMA, taken together to enhance the effects of MDMA. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT Four deaths following the ingestion of moclobemide and MDMA (‘ecstasy’) are described. The probable cause of death in each case was serotonin syndrome as a result of an interaction between the two drugs. As none of the victims had been prescribed moclobemide it seems that each had taken the drug to enhance the effects of MDMA, with fatal consequences. Warnings are needed against misinformed attempts to potentiate the pharmacological effects of illicit drugs.