Pharmacology of MDMA in humans.
MDMA given at recreational doses (range tested 50 to 150 mg) to healthy volunteers, produced mydriasis and marked increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and pupillary diameter. MDMA induced changes on oral temperature. The time course of this observation was biphasic, as a slight decrease at 1 h and a slight increase at 2 and 4 h were observed. MDMA induced a slight dose-dependent impairment on psychomotor performance. MDMA produced a marked rise in plasma cortisol and prolactin concentrations. The elimination half-life of MDMA was about 8-9 h. Drug concentrations increased, and a parallel increase in physiologic and hormonal measures was observed. Both peak concentrations and peak effects were obtained between 1 and 2 h and decreased to baseline values 4-6 h after drug administration.
de la Torre R
Pharmacology Unit, Institut Municipal d'Investigacio Medica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain. rtorre@imim.es
Farré
M
M
Roset
P N
PN
Lopez
C H
CH
Mas
M
M
Ortuño
J
J
Menoyo
E
E
Pizarro
N
N
Segura
J
J
Cami
J
J
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011680:Pupil / Q000187:drug effects; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D006213:Hallucinogens; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine