Summary
Capsules with etryptamine have been commonly available on the market since the middle of 1985. Up to 1962 this CNS-stimulating, monoamine-oxidase-inhibiting drug was sold as an antidepressant (Monase). A case of fatal intoxication is reported. The exact amount of etryptamine taken several hours before death are not known, but it could have been in the range of 700 mg. This drug was detected in tissue by means of common analytical techniques (GLC, GC-MS, HPLC, TLC). Etryptamine cross-reacts with the Emit-st amphetamine assay and can also be detected in urine using these techniques. The level in postmortem blood was 1.1 mg/l. The effects the young man showed were like those known from intoxication with amphetamines, MAO inhibitors, and thymoleptics. Malignant hyperthermia is discussed as a possible cause of death. It is suggested that trade in etryptamine should be controlled.
Zusammenfassung
Etryptaminhaltige Kapseln werden seit Mitte 1985 verstärkt auf dem Drogenmarkt angeboten. Etryptamin ist eine zentral stimulierende, MAO-hemmende Substanz, die bis 1962 als Antidepressivum im Handel war. Es wird über eine tödliche Vergiftung nach Einnahme von Etryptamin berichtet. Anhand von Literaturdaten sowie Erkenntnissen aus dem vorgestellten Fall werden die Gefahren, die von diesem frei käuflichen Tryptaminderivat ausgehen, diskutiert. Es wird angeregt, den Handel mit dieser Substanz einer gesetzlichen Regelung zu unterwerfen.
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Herrn Prof. Dr. med. Steffen Berg zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet
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Daldrup, T., Heller, C., Matthiesen, U. et al. Etryptamin, eine neue designer-droge mit fataler Wirkung. Z Rechtsmed 97, 61–68 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00200960
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00200960