Ecstasy--deadly risk even outside rave parties.
Fatalities due to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") are rare in Austria, although the use of designer drugs has become quite common. This is the first published case of a fatal MDMA intoxication in Austria. A 19-year-old girl died after the consumption of ecstasy tablets in the apartment of a friend. Blood analysis gave a concentration of MDMA as 3.8 mg/L and traces of its metabolite MDA. Cannabinoids were found as well. This case shows that the consumption of MDMA, without physical stress, can lead to death.
Libiseller
Kathrin
K
Innsbruck Medical University, Institute of Legal Medicine, Muellerstrasse 44, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. kathrin.libiseller@uibk.ac.at
Pavlic
Marion
M
Grubwieser
Petra
P
Rabl
Walter
W
D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000139:chemically induced; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000473:pathology; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000473:pathology; D012769:Shock / Q000139:chemically induced
D002186:Cannabinoids; D006213:Hallucinogens; D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine