MDMA (ecstasy) can cause dangerously high body temperature (hyperthermia). New evidence suggests that alpha1 and beta3-adrenergic receptors play a role in this effect. The drug carvedilol, which blocks these receptors, may be a promising candidate for treating psychostimulant-induced hyperthermia and its complications, such as rhabdomyolysis. Further research into such therapies is warranted.
In male rats, the drug MDMA (Ecstasy) caused a rapid and large increase in body temperature, which was significantly reduced by blocking two types of receptors: α₁-adrenoreceptors and β₃-adrenoreceptors. MDMA also raised levels of creatine kinase (a marker of muscle breakdown, peaking at 4 hours) and increased blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine (markers of kidney function) at 4 hours. These effects were prevented by giving a combination of the α₁ antagonist prazosin and the β₃ antagonist SR59230A. The findings indicate that both receptor types are critically involved in MDMA-induced hyperthermia and the resulting muscle damage.