Here are quite a few abstracts on the drug PMA, which has been sold as E and responsible for many tragic deaths, most recently in the USA.
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http://www.jatox.com/abstracts/1998/mar-apr/simmiab.htm
Published: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Volume 22, Number 2, March/April 1998, pp. 169-172.
CASE REPORT: Recent Paramethoxyamphetamine Deaths
H.E. Felgate, P.D. Felgate, R.A. James, D.N. Sims, and D.C. Vozzo
Paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) is a methoxylated phenethylamine derivative that has been used illicitly in Australia since late 1994. It is purportedly sold under the guise of "ecstasy", which is the colloquial name for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Methods for extraction, identification, and quantitation are presented. Toxicology findings in six fatalities involving the drug are discussed. Femoral blood PMA levels ranged from 0.24 to 4.9 mg/L (mean, 2.3 mg/L). Liver PMA levels ranged from 1.4 to 21 mg/kg (mean, 8.9 mg/kg). Other amphetamines were found in five of the six cases. Blood PMA levels in three nonfatal cases are also presented. PMA appeared to be more toxic than MDMA, and blood levels greater than 0.5 mg/L seemed likely to be associated with toxic effects.-----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.gov.ab.ca/aadac/addictions/beyond/beyond_hallucinogens.htm
PMA (paramethoxyamphetamine)
Although rare, PMA is one of the most dangerous hallucinogens. Sold as a beige, white, or pink powder, PMA is often misrepresented as MDA. However, at doses considered safe for MDA, PMA is highly toxic. The hallucinogenic effects of PMA are similar to LSD. Physical effects of PMA include racing pulse, high blood pressure, increased and laboured breathing, high fever, erratic eye movements, muscle spasm, and vomiting. At high doses, convulsions, coma, and death can result.
1999 Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
Additional reading:
1. Cox, T. C., Jacobs, M. R., LeBlanc, A. E., & Marshman,
J. A. (1987). Drugs & Drug Abuse: A reference text. (2nd
ed.). Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation.-----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.lycaeum.org/drugs.old/synthetics/mdma/mdma.report
Drug Abuse Information and Monitoring Project
California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs
Chauncey L. Veatch III, Director
DRUG ABUSE SERIES - MDMA
Clifford L. Allenby, Secretary Health and Welfare Agency (State of California)
Street use of MDA has been connected to a number of deaths, although not clearly, because other drugs were also involved (Reed, Cravey, & Sedgwick,1972). Some deaths reported in 1972 and 1973 to be a result of MDA toxicity are now known to have occurred as a result of ingesting another amphetamine derivative: PMA (paramethoxyamphetamine) (Inaba, Way, & Blum, 1978). The PMA UCLA Drug Abuse Research Group (M. Douglas Anglin, PhD, Director) compound, frequently passed off as MDA, often caused a dangerous rise in blood pressure at effective doses. Fortunately, PMA appears to have been totally withdrawn from circulation (Stafford, 1983).-----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.arf.org/isd/pim/halluc.html
Addiction Research Foundation
PMA (paramethoxyamphetamine) is a rarely encountered and highly toxic drug that has both hallucinogenic and central nervous system (CNS) stimulant properties. Although the pure drug is a white powder, it appeared on the street in Ontario in a variety of forms in the mid-1970s and was responsible for several deaths. On the street, PMA has been passed off as MDA. Yet at a dose considered safe for MDA, PMA is highly toxic because it produces marked increases in blood pressure, body temperature, and pulse rate. Because it is more potent, PMA also has more pronounced hallucinogenic and stimulant effects than MDA. The physical effects generally include greatly increased pulse rate and blood pressure, increased and labored respiration, escalating body temperature, erratic eye movements, muscle spasm, nausea, and vomiting. At high doses, PMA use can result in convulsions, coma, and death.
1973 Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Research Foundation Toronto Revised January 1991
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http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hppb/alcohol-otherdrugs/pube/straight/hallucinogens.htm#PMA
Health Canada
PMA (paramethoxyamphetamine)
DESCRIPTION
Beige, white or pink powder, usually misrepresented as MDA.
ORIGIN AND MEDICAL USES
Produced in labs specifically for illicit drug market. No medical use.
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
Effects similar to LSD, coupled with racing pulse, high blood pressure, increased and laboured breathing, high fever, erratic eye movement, muscle spasms, vomiting. At high doses PMA often causes convulsions, coma and death. One of the most dangerous hallucinogens.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
Insufficient research
TOLERANCE AND DEPENDENCE
Although insufficient research has been carried out, it appears that chronic users of any of these drugs do develop tolerance. They may become psychologically dependent. Physical dependence is not known to develop.
LEGAL STATUS
In Canada this drug is governed by the Food and Drugs Act. It is a restricted drug. Upon summary conviction for possession, first offence penalty is a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to six months' imprisonment; for subsequent offences $2,000 and/or one year, upon
conviction by indictment $5,000 and/or three years. Trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking are punishable upon summary conviction by up to 18 months' imprisonment and upon conviction by indictment up to 10 years.
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http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/feb3/white/white.html
The Medical Journal of Australia
While certainly the best-known derivative of amphetamine, MDMA is only one of a range that have been used illicitly. Numerous other amphetamine analogues have appeared since the 1960s, either as recreational drugs in their own right, or as contaminants in illicit drug samples. Their popularity and availability have varied. Paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) is one analogue of current importance in Australia. Ingestion of PMA, either alone or combined with MDMA, has resulted in several "ecstasy" deaths in this country over the last two years. It appears that in most of these cases, the drug users thought they were taking MDMA, but PMA was present as a contaminant. As there is no central collection of information on drug overdoses in Australia, it is difficult to determine accurately the number of ecstasy-related deaths. There have been about 12 such deaths in Australia over the last two years, with at least six of these involving PMA, either alone or combined with MDMA (Dr R James, Senior Forensic Pathologist, South Australian Forensic Science Centre, Adelaide, SA, personal communication). There is no published information on the number of individuals who required hospital admission or suffered non-fatal serious consequences from MDMA-PMA ingestion.
MJA 1997
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http://www.state.vt.us/adap/cork/bibEcstasy.html
Vermont Department of Health - Project CORK
Byard RW; Gilbert J; James R; Lokan RJ. Amphetamine derivative fatalities in South Australia: Is "ecstasy" the culprit? American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology 19(3): 261-265, 1998. (26 refs.)
Objective: To analyze features of a series of fatalities caused by amphetamine-derivative designer drugs marketed as "Ecstasy" in South Australia, and to identify reasons for the recent marked increase in number of these deaths. Materials and Methods: Following the death of a 26-year-old woman after alleged ingestion of Ecstasy tablets, a retrospective search of files at State Forensic Science, Adelaide and the South Australian State Coroner's Department was undertaken from February 1992 to January 1997 to identify similar cases. Results: Six fatalities were found, all of which have occurred since September 1995 (M:F ratio, 1:1; age range, 22 to 36 years; average age, 27.7 years). All individuals had histories of recent ingestion of illegal drugs thought to be Ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) at the time of purchase. Delay occurred in seeking medical attention, despite severe symptoms. Causes of death involved documented hyperthermia in 3 cases (temperatures of 41.5-46.1 degrees C), with features of hyperthermia in one other case, and intracranial hemorrhage in another. Drugs in toxic/lethal amounts identified at postmortem included paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) in all cases, amphetamine/methamphetamine in 4 cases, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or Ecstasy) in only 2 cases. Interaction with a prescription medication (fluoxetine) may have occurred in 1 case.
Conclusions: The number of deaths due to amphetamine derivatives apparently due to substitution of PMA for MDMA (Ecstasy) have
recently increased markedly in Adelaide. Potential users should be warned that PMA has been associated with a much higher rate of lethal complications than other designer drugs, and that no guarantee can be made that tablets sold as Ecstasy are not PMA.
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