Stereospecific Analysis and Enantiomeric Disposition of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) in Humans
Clinical Chemistry July 1, 1999 John K. Fallon, Andrew T. Kicman, J. A. Henry et al. 137 citations
After a 40 mg oral dose of racemic MDMA (ecstasy) to eight men, the R-enantiomer reached higher and longer-lasting plasma levels than the S-enantiomer. The R-enantiomer's half-life was 5.8 hours versus 3.6 hours for S-MDMA, and its area under the curve was 2.4 times greater. More R-MDMA was excreted in urine (21.4% of dose) than S-MDMA (9.3%). The demethylated metabolite MDA appeared in smaller amounts, with S-MDA slightly exceeding R-MDA. Mathematical modeling of plasma enantiomer ratios over time suggests that analyzing stereochemical composition could help estimate time since drug intake for forensic purposes.