Clinical Pharmacology of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): The Influence of Gender and Genetics (CYP2D6, COMT, 5-HTT)
PLoS ONE October 24, 2012 Ricardo Pardo-Lozano, M. Farré, Samanta Yubero-Lahoz et al. 67 citations
A single oral weight-adjusted dose of MDMA (1.4 mg/kg) produced similar plasma concentrations and positive subjective effects in healthy recreational users regardless of gender or CYP2D6 and COMT genotypes. Female subjects experienced more intense physiological effects (increased heart rate and oral temperature) and negative effects (dizziness, sedation, depression, psychotic symptoms). Genotypes of COMT val158met or 5-HTTLPR with high functionality led to greater cardiovascular effects, while low-functionality genotypes were linked to negative subjective effects. The contribution of MDMA pharmacokinetics to gender differences in drug effects appears negligible; instead, 5-HTTLPR and COMT val158met genotypes play a major role.