Amphetamine derivative fatalities in South Australia--is "Ecstasy" the culprit?
OBJECTIVE
To analyze features of a series of fatalities caused by amphetamine-derivative designer drugs marketed as "Ecstasy" in South Australia, and to identify reasons for the recent marked increase in number of these deaths.


METHODS
Following the death of a 26-year-old woman after alleged ingestion of Ecstasy tablets, a retrospective search of files at State Forensic Science, Adelaide and the South Australian State Coroner's Department was undertaken from February 1992 to January 1997 to identify similar cases.


RESULTS
Six fatalities were found, all of which have occurred since September 1995 (M:F ratio, 1:1; age range, 22 to 36 years; average age, 27.7 years). All individuals had histories of recent ingestion of illegal drugs thought to be Ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) at the time of purchase. Delay occurred in seeking medical attention, despite severe symptoms. Causes of death involved documented hyperthermia in 3 cases (temperatures of 41.5-46.1 degrees C), with features of hyperthermia in one other case, and intracranial hemorrhage in another. Drugs in toxic/lethal amounts identified at postmortem included paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) in all cases, amphetamine/methamphetamine in 4 cases, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or Ecstasy) in only 2 cases. Interaction with a prescription medication (fluoxetine) may have occurred in 1 case.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of deaths due to amphetamine derivatives apparently due to substitution of PMA for MDMA (Ecstasy) have recently increased markedly in Adelaide. Potential users should be warned that PMA has been associated with a much higher rate of lethal complications than other designer drugs, and that no guarantee can be made that tablets sold as Ecstasy are not PMA.
Forensic Science, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
R W
RW
Byard
J
J
Gilbert
R
R
James
R J
RJ
Lokan
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000401:mortality; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000506:poisoning*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006213:Hallucinogens; C106885:paramethoxymethamphetamine; D008694:Methamphetamine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine