1. ['Ecstasy-light' - not as light as its name suggests: toxic effects of 4-fluoroamphetamine].
- Author
-
Knippels MCJ, Essers IMM, Magdelijns FJH, and van Twist DJL
- Subjects
- Adult, Amphetamine-Related Disorders prevention & control, Female, Humans, Male, Netherlands, Seizures chemically induced, Young Adult, Amphetamine-Related Disorders epidemiology, Amphetamines adverse effects, Central Nervous System Stimulants adverse effects
- Abstract
Background: The use of 4-fluoroamphetamine (4-FA) has shown a marked increase, especially because users perceive its effects to be relatively mild. 4-FA is also known as ecstacy-light, but is probably not as light as its name suggests. From April 2017 its use has therefore been forbidden in the Netherlands., Case Description: In a short time, we saw three patients at our emergency department who had signs of a severe intoxication with 4-FA. A 21-year-old male developed a tonic-clonic seizure, bruxism, mydriasis, and rhabdomyolysis. A 19-year-old female was confused and was longing for death. A 22-year-old male needed to be admitted to intensive care to be intubated, sedated and cooled due to tachycardia, hypertension and hyperthermia., Conclusion: Because of its relatively mild effects, 4-FA is gaining in popularity in the Netherlands. However, the use of this designer drug can lead to severe problems such as severe confusion, hyperthermia and tonic-clonic seizures.
- Published
- 2017