Multivisceral Failure in a Context of Serotonin Syndrome Induced by MDMA: The Investigation of a Unique and Nationwide Network

J Addict Med. 2020 Mar/Apr;14(2):175-177. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000544.

Abstract

: The occasional ingestion of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) presents serious risks of side effects including death through multivisceral failure in a context of serotonin syndrome. The significant increasing evolution of illicit MDMA street dosages over the past 2 decades and the difficulty for physicians to know what quantity the patients may have consumed, make MDMA a drug with unpredictable effects. Through this case report of a 16-year-old Caucasian, we made use of a unique and nationwide French health monitoring system called TREND (Recent Trends and New Drugs)-SINTES (National Identification System for Drugs and Substances), which, combined with the hair follicle test, can assist medical practitioners in rapidly establishing a precise diagnosis and consequently provide the most appropriate treatment for each individual case in a timely manner.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Organ Failure / chemically induced*
  • Multiple Organ Failure / complications*
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / poisoning*
  • Serotonin Syndrome / chemically induced*
  • Serotonin Syndrome / complications*

Substances

  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine