American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy
June 1, 2002
Kelly M. Smith, Lisa L. Larive, Frank Romanelli
226 citations
Club drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy), flunitrazepam, ketamine hydrochloride, and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) are increasingly used by young people in social settings like all-night dance parties. MDMA increases neurotransmitter release, producing euphoria and heightened energy but also causing agitation, anxiety, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure; severe effects include arrhythmias, hyperthermia, and muscle breakdown. Flunitrazepam, a potent benzodiazepine, can cause loss of muscle control and consciousness at high doses. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, interacts with NMDA receptors and may lead to confusion, hostility, and cardiovascular or respiratory toxicity. GHB, a fatty acid derivative, can cause amnesia, seizures, coma, and death. Flunitrazepam, ketamine, and GHB have been used to facilitate sexual assault. Supportive care is the main treatment for intoxication.
American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy
February 1, 2005
Peter J. Zed
1 citation
A comprehensive reference book for health care professionals provides an authoritative compilation on drugs and substances of abuse in North America. It covers the history, pharmacology, and patterns of use for three major classes—psychodepressants, psychostimulants, and psychedelics—along with detailed monographs on 96 individual agents. Each monograph includes information on names, pharmacologic class, dosage forms, routes of administration, mechanism of action, medical and personal use, adverse effects, toxicity, overdose signs, withdrawal syndrome, and treatment.
American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy
March 4, 2026
Jennifer E. Thomas, Anna Dellarole, Robin J. Jacobs
Current literature most strongly supports MDMA and intravenous ketamine as treatments for PTSD. Under professional supervision, these agents may reduce PTSD symptoms and are generally well tolerated. However, findings require cautious interpretation because of limitations including treatment expectancy effects and potential inadequate blinding. Additional randomized controlled trials of other psychedelics, such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide, are necessary to evaluate their effectiveness for PTSD.