| Toxicity |
A
novel psychoactive drug chemically related to the hallucinogenic
agent MDA, but reported to be non-hallucinogenic.
Obtained by direct synthesis, at high doses it is reported to
show a stimulant-like effect in animals. Its LD50 is 97 mg/kg, i.
p., 49 mg/kg, i.p., 14 mg/kg, i.v., and 22 mg/kg, i.v. in mice,
rats, dogs, and monkeys, respectively. At higher doses, MDMA
has pressor effects and produces tachycardia, and causes damage
to serotonin neurons in both rats and monkeys. The (S)-
(1)-enantiomer is more active than the (R)-(?′)-enantiomer and,
like amphetamine, the pharmacological effects may be due to a
release of endogenous monoamine neurotransmitter, probably
serotonin and/or norepinephrine. MDMA is also an inhibitor of
monoamine uptake into brain synaptosomes. Symptoms
include pronounced mydriasis, with nystagmus and jaw clenching,
and nausea also is often reported. This substance produces a feeling of well-being and euphoria and is similar in some
respects to MDA, in that it seems to enhance a sense of empathy
and emotional openness in users. Toxic reactions would
appear to occur as a result of the pressor action, and sympathomimetic
effects of the drug. No appropriate therapeutic intervention
has been reported. Peripheral adrenergic blocking
agents, or chlorpromazine, have been used, however, to prevent
death in dogs following a lethal i.v. dose of the chemically
related agent MDA.
|
