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Dantrolene for the treatment of MDMA toxicity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Brian E. Grunau ,
Matthew O. Wiens  and
Marc Greidanus
Brian E. Grunau*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Paul's Hospital and the the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Matthew O. Wiens
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacy, Chilliwack General Hospital, Chilliwack, BC, as well as the School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Marc Greidanus
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Chilliwack General Hospital, Chilliwack, BC
*
45600 Menholm Rd., Department of Pharmacy, Chilliwack General Hospital, Chilliwack BC V2P 1P7; matthew.wiens@fraserhealth.ca

Abstract

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MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), popularly known as “Ecstasy,” was first introduced and patented by Merck & Co., Inc., in 1914 as an appetite suppressant. Currently, its primary role is as an illegal stimulant used to produce a euphoric effect during parties. This case report describes a 31-year-old man who, after taking 3 tablets of Ecstasy, presented to an emergency department with a decreased level of consciousness and became progressively hyperthermic and rigid. During the course of his acute illness, his temperature reached 42.2°C rectally. He was given mechanical ventilation. He was aggressively cooled and dantrolene was initiated. Soon after the administration of dantrolene his temperature decreased and his rigidity began to resolve. The only complication was rhabdomyolysis with a creatine kinase level increasing to over 150 μkat/L. This did not progress to acute renal failure. The patient made a full recovery and was discharged to psychiatry for assessment.

Keywords

MDMAtoxicologydantroleneMDMA-related hyperpyrexia
Type
Case Report • Rapport de cas
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 12 , Issue 5 , September 2010 , pp. 457 - 459
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2010

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