Skip to main content
Log in

MDMA induced hyperthermia: Report of a fatality and review of current therapy

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Intensive Care Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ingestion of 3,4-methylene dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as “Ecstasy”, can produce toxicity that is characterised by hyperthermia, coagulopathy, rhabdomyolysis and renal failure. We report a fatality associated with MDMA ingestion and briefly review the current literature on MDMA-induced hyperthermia.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Rajs J, Falconer B (1992) Cardiac lesions in intravenous drug addicts. Forensic Sci Int 13: 193–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Karch SB, Billingham ME (1986) Myocardial contraction bands revisited. Hum Pathol 17: 9–13

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Chadwick IS, Curry PD, Linsley A, Freemont AJ, Doran B (1991) Ecstasy, 3-4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a fatality associated with coagulopathy and hyperthermia. J R Soc Med 84: 371

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Campkin NT, Davies UM (1992) Another death from Ecstasy. J R Soc Med 85: 61

    Google Scholar 

  5. Henry JA, Jeffreys KJ, Dawling S (1992) Toxicity and deaths from 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (“Ecstasy”). Lancet 340: 384–387

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Brown C, Osterloh J (1987) Multiple severe complications from recreational ingestion of MDMA (“Ecstasy”). JAMA 258: 780–781

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Logan AS, Stickle B, O'Keefe N, Hewitson H (1993) Survival following “Ecstasy” ingestion with a peak temperature of 42 degrees C. Anaesthesia 48: 1017–1018

    Google Scholar 

  8. Webb C, Williams V (1993) Ecstasy intoxication: appreciation of complications and the role of dantrolene. Anaesthesia 48: 542–543

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Singarajah C, Lavies NG (1992) An overdose of Ecstasy. A role for dantrolene. Anaesthesia 47: 686–687

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Watson JD, Ferguson C, Hinds CJ, Skinner R, Coakley JH (1993) Exertional heatstroke induced by amphetamine analogues — does dantrolene have a place? Anaesthesia 48: 1057–1060

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Sternbach H (1991) The serotonin syndrome. Am J Psychiatry 148: 705–713

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Gerson SC, Baldessarini RJ (1980) Motor effects of serotonin in the central nervous system. Life Sci 27: 1435–1451

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Schmidt CJ, Black CK, Abbate GM, Taylor VL (1990) MDMA-induced hyperthermia and neurotoxicity are independently mediated by 5-HT2 receptors. Brain Res 529: 85–90

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dar, K.J., McBrien, M.E. MDMA induced hyperthermia: Report of a fatality and review of current therapy. Intensive Care Med 22, 995–996 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02044131

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02044131

Key words

Navigation