[Death after the intake of amphetamine/ecstasy: two case reports].

Synthetic amphetamines such as 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) have become recreational drugs in German discotheques because of their euphoric and mood-brightening effects. However, their consumption involves considerable risks, which may even be lethal under certain circumstances. A 19-year-old man was taken to a university hospital for suspected intoxication with a narcotic drug, where he died the next day. As cause of death "fulminant liver failure" was diagnosed. In blood from the femoral vein, MDMA was found in a concentration of 4.27 mg/l. Histological examination showed acute necrosis of the liver and parenchymatous bleeding. The second case is that of a 39-year-old man who collapsed at his workplace and died in hospital shortly afterwards. In his rucksack, a small bag with 1.6 g of amphetamine was found. Analysis of blood from the femoral vein showed an amphetamine concentration of 1.08 mg/l.