Ecstasy abuse amphetamines

ECSTASY" (also known as "XTC" or "E") is the "street" name of one member of a family of amphetamine related drugs which first became popular in the "rave" or modem dance music culture across Europe in the 1980s (Table 1). Its chemical name is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) closely related drugs include methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methylene-dioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA). The chemical structure of this series of drugs and their relationship to older better known stimulants of abuse, amphetamine and methamphetamine, is shown in Figure 1. 

Davis, W. A., H. T. Hatoum, and L. W. Waters. 1987. Toxicity of MDA (3,4-methylenedioxy-amphetamine, considered for relevance to hazards of MDMA (Ecstasy) abuse. Alcohol DrugRes. 7 123—134. 

Recent controversy about the recreational abuse and potential therapeutic use of designer drugs has focused attention on MDA (methylenedioxyampheta-mine HCl) and structurally related phenylisopropylamine compounds, including MDMA istructural analogs of the psychomotor stimulant amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline, and produce stimulant and/or hallucinogenic effects (Shulgin 1978). 

A list of drugs of abuse is provided in T able 13.6. Numerically it is dominated by the alkaloids and products of synthesis patterned on alkaloids, like the amphetamines and Ecstasy. Meroterpenes have... 

Stimulant drugs commonly abused in the USA include methamphetamine ("crank," "crystal"), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy"), and cocaine ("crack") as well as pharmaceuticals such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and ephedrine (as such and in the herbal agent Ma-huang) (see Chapter 32). Caffeine is often added to dietary supplements sold as "metabolic enhancers" or "fat-burners" and is also sometimes combined with pseudoephedrine in underground pills sold as amphetamine substitutes. 

Methylenedioxymetamfetamine (MDMA), commonly known by names such as ecstasy , XTC , E , or Love Drug , was synthesized in 1914 for use in chemical warfare, but has more recently become a popular drug of abuse among young people, especially at raves . It is relatively easy to obtain and is erroneously regarded as a safe drug. However, it has actions like those of amphetamine. 

The most well-known drugs of abuse are heroin, cocaine, cannabis, LSD, amphetamines, and ecstasy. They all cause different kinds of effects and their toxic effects are also different. The first three of these are derived from or closely aUied to substances found in plants. LSD is similar to substances found in a fungus which affects crops (see pp. 244-7). h is appropriate to consider these substances here as they are drugs in the accepted sense of the word, and some of them have legitimate uses as well as being drugs of abuse. 

MDMA (3.4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamjne EA 1475 XTC Ecstasy E ) has amphetamine-like actions, and induces release of, and is a (re-) uptake inhibitor of 5-hydroxytryptamine. Also, it is a monoamine-oxidase INHIBITOR (MAOI, type A), slowing catabolism of 5-HT. It is a PSYCHOTROPIC AGENT and drug of abuse. 

Abuse of volatile substances (lighter fuel, aerosols, glue) is often more common amongst schoolchildren than amphetamines and ecstasy, and is increasing in some countries. 

Amphetamine, ecstasy, and analogs Urine LLE Potassium phosphate, pH 2.5, 8.3mmol - HP-jS-CD Urinary excretion, patients and drug abusers... 

Drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, cannabinoids, and amphetamines, were detected in hair by immunoassay followed by GC-MS for confirmation and quantitation [118]. Immunochemical screening was done with the Siemens EMIT 11 Plus assays for opiates, amphetamines and ecstasy, and Microgenics CEDIA assays for cocaine. All samples with positive results in the screening test for any drug and/or metabolite were analyzed by GC-MS for confirmation and quantitation. The cutoff value for cocaine was 0.20 ng mg . ... 

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