Hallucinogenic stimulant PMMA found in “Superman” pills that killed 4 in Britain

The Guardian (U.K.) reported yesterday that the deaths of 4 men in Britain over the holidays were associated with a drug — purported to be MDMA (ecstasy) — that actually contained the hallucinogenic stimulant PMMA, a far more dangerous drug. The deaths all seemed to be related to a 5-sided pill that reproduced the famous Superman logo. PMMA is related to PMA, a drug so lethal it has been marketed under the name “Dr. Death.” Some data indicates that PMMA (para-methoxymethamphetamine) is metabolized to PMA (para-methamphetamine.) Both PMA and PMMA cause increased release of serotonin along with decreased re-uptake, markedly increasing central serotonin levels. In addition, they inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, predisposing to serotonin syndrome. Consistent with this, one of the characteristic findings in fatal PMMA overdose cases is severe hyperthermia, sometimes with temperatures as high as 109oF. Other characteristic findings in PMA/PMMA toxicity include: agitation tachycardia hallucinations seizures respiratory distress muscle rigidity renal failure coma Adding to the danger of PMMA is the fact that is has a delayed onset, significantly longer than that of MDMA. Thus, users who think they are ingesting ecstasy but do not get the early effects they expect may be tempted to take additional doses. In December, similarly-shaped pills were seized in the Netherlands. These contained what was described as “historically high” levels of PMMA. Daa...
Source: The Poison Review - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Medical dr. death ecstasy mdma paramethoxyamphetamine paramethoxymethamphetamine pma PMMA serotonin syndrome superman Source Type: news