Death following ingestion of MDMA (ecstasy) and moclobemide.
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.
Vuori
Erkki
E
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland. erkki.o.vuori@helsinki.fi
Henry
John A
JA
Ojanperä
Ilkka
I
Nieminen
Raija
R
Savolainen
Taru
T
Wahlsten
Pia
P
Jäntti
Matti
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004347:Drug Interactions; D062787:Drug Overdose; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020912:Moclobemide / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D020230:Serotonin Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*
D006213:Hallucinogens; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D020912:Moclobemide