Ecstasy (MDMA): pharmacological and toxic effects, mechanism of action and clinical management

Authors

  • Caroline Addison Carvalho Xavier Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte
  • Patrícia Leal Dantas Lobo Universidade Federal do Ceará; Faculdade de Medicina; Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia; Curso de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia
  • Marta Maria de França Fonteles UFC; Departamento de Farmácia; Farmacologia Aplicada
  • Silvânia Maria Mendes de Vasconcelos UFC; Faculdade de Medicina; Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia
  • Glauce Socorro de Barros Viana UFC; Faculdade de Medicina; Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia
  • Francisca Cléa Florenço de Sousa UFC; Faculdade de Medicina; Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832008000300002

Keywords:

3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ecstasy, neurotoxicity, intoxication, drug abuse

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The consumption of the amphetamine derivative 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) by young people increased in the past years. OBJECTIVES: To conduct a literature review on the pharmacology of MDMA and particularly with respect to the putative mechanism of action implicated in the acute and long-term toxicity and neurotoxic effects. METHODS: A literature review using the key words: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ecstasy, neurotoxicity, intoxication, abuse drugs was performed in the databases MEDLINE and LILACS. The search covered all articles published between 1985 and 2007. RESULTS: There were still many unanswered questions regarding the pharmacology of ecstasy and the pathophysiology of its toxic effects. The fundamental mechanism of action is insufficient to explain all effects induced by the drug. The exact mechanism responsible for mediating the toxic effects of MDMA on 5-HT neurons remain to be elucidated. DISCUSSION: There is limited information in published literature about the underlying pharmacology and mechanism of action that could account for the neurotoxic and other phathophysiological effect of MDMA.

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Published

2008-01-01

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 3 (2008)

Section

Reviews

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Ecstasy (MDMA): pharmacological and toxic effects, mechanism of action and clinical management . (2008). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 35(3), 96-103. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832008000300002