Some comments on metabolism and pharmacokinetics of MDMA (Ecstasy)

A research group from Spain investigated the influence of a polymorphism of a liver enzyme (CYP2D6) on the pharmacokinetics of MDMA. Approximately 10% of the european caucasian population are so called 'poor metabolisers' which means that their CYP2D6 enzyme is working slower. MDMA is metabolised by the CYP2D6 enzyme. As MDMA toxicity is related to MDMA blood levels it may be that a part of the population is especially sensitive to MDMA. The metabolism of the CYP2D6 poor metaboliser was slower, resulting in higher MDMA concentrations in blood.

Original article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00228-005-0965-y