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Research ArticleNEUROPHARMACOLOGY

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) and Alcohol Interactions in Humans: Psychomotor Performance, Subjective Effects, and Pharmacokinetics

Cándido Hernández-López, Magı́ Farré, Pere N. Roset, Esther Menoyo, Nieves Pizarro, Jordi Ortuño, Marta Torrens, Jordi Camı́ and Rafael de la Torre
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics January 2002, 300 (1) 236-244; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.300.1.236
Cándido Hernández-López
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Magı́ Farré
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Pere N. Roset
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Esther Menoyo
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Nieves Pizarro
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Jordi Ortuño
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Marta Torrens
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Jordi Camı́
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Rafael de la Torre
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Abstract

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is frequently consumed in association with alcohol. The effect of this combination in humans has not been previously investigated. Nine male healthy volunteers received single oral doses of 100 mg of MDMA plus 0.8 g/kg ethanol, 100 mg of MDMA, 0.8 g/kg of ethanol, and placebo in a double blind, double dummy, randomized crossover trial. Measurements included psychomotor performance, subjective effects, and pharmacokinetics. Plasma concentrations of MDMA showed a 13% increase after the use of alcohol, whereas plasma concentrations of alcohol showed a 9 to 15% decrease after MDMA administration. The MDMA-alcohol combination induced longer lasting euphoria and well being than MDMA or alcohol alone. MDMA reversed the subjective sedation induced by alcohol but did not reduce drunkenness feelings. MDMA did not reverse the actions of alcohol on psychomotor abilities. Combined use of MDMA and alcohol causes dissociation between subjective and objective sedation. Subjects may feel euphoric and less sedated and might have the feeling of doing better, but actual performance ability continues to be impaired by the effect of alcohol. Confirmation of these findings in further studies will be highly relevant in terms of road safety.

Footnotes

  • This study was supported by grants from Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (FIS 97/1198), CIRIT 97-SRG-0077, and Plan Nacional sobre Drogas.

  • Abbreviations

    MDMA
    3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine
    DSST
    digit-symbol substitution test
    ARCI
    Addiction Research Center Inventory
    VAS
    visual analog scale
    PCAG
    pentobarbital chlorpromazine alcohol group
    MBG
    morphine benzedrine group
    LSD
    lysergic acid diethylamine group
    BG
    benzedrine group
    A
    amphetamine
    AUC
    area under the curve
    ANOVA
    analysis of variance
    • Received August 6, 2001.
    • Accepted August 29, 2001.
    • The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
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    Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics: 300 (1)
    Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
    Vol. 300, Issue 1
    1 Jan 2002
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    Research ArticleNEUROPHARMACOLOGY

    3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) and Alcohol Interactions in Humans: Psychomotor Performance, Subjective Effects, and Pharmacokinetics

    Cándido Hernández-López, Magı́ Farré, Pere N. Roset, Esther Menoyo, Nieves Pizarro, Jordi Ortuño, Marta Torrens, Jordi Camı́ and Rafael de la Torre
    Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics January 1, 2002, 300 (1) 236-244; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.300.1.236

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    Research ArticleNEUROPHARMACOLOGY

    3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) and Alcohol Interactions in Humans: Psychomotor Performance, Subjective Effects, and Pharmacokinetics

    Cándido Hernández-López, Magı́ Farré, Pere N. Roset, Esther Menoyo, Nieves Pizarro, Jordi Ortuño, Marta Torrens, Jordi Camı́ and Rafael de la Torre
    Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics January 1, 2002, 300 (1) 236-244; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.300.1.236
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