Common Street Drugs: MDMA (Ecstasy)

First Things First (assess & treat for the following)

• Amphetamine derivative that is psychogenic & hallucinogenic
• Results in catecholamine increase along with massive serotonin release
• Often co-ingested w/ other drugs of abuse, resulting in mixed toxidromes
• Effects include sense of euphoria, enhanced socializing, verbosity, increased sexual interest.
• MDMA toxicity results in increased autonomic activity, including tachycardia, HTN, hyperthermia, mydriasis.
  • Cardiac monitoring & treat significant cardiac dysrhythmias.
  • Treat HTN & tachycardia w/ benzodiazepines.
  • Promptly treat severe hyperthermia w/ appropriate cooling measures.