Amphetamine toxicity in the emergency department.
XTC and other amphetamines are considered to be safe by the majority of partying young people who are unaware of (or unwilling to know about) the acute and chronic toxicity of these substances, and these drugs are widespread, illicit stimulants. In this article, we describe four cases of severe acute toxicity due to recreational use of amphetamines 3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 4-methylthioamphetamine or p-methoxyamphetamine, with emphasis on the presenting symptoms and acute treatment in the emergency department.
Smets
Gert
G
Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Leuven, Belgium.
Bronselaer
Koen
K
De Munnynck
Katja
K
De Feyter
Koen
K
Van de Voorde
Wim
W
Sabbe
Marc
M
D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000633:toxicity; D000328:Adult; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000633:toxicity*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy
D000662:Amphetamines; D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine; C078956:4-methylthioamphetamine; C051800:3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine