Sex Differences in the Effects of MDMA (Ecstasy) on Plasma Copeptin in Healthy Subjects
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism June 30, 2011 Linda D. Simmler, Cédric M. Hysek, Matthias E. Liechti 91 citations
MDMA (ecstasy) increases plasma copeptin, a marker for vasopressin secretion, in women but not in men. In a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial with 16 healthy subjects, MDMA (125 mg) significantly elevated copeptin levels in women at 60 and 120 minutes, an effect prevented by pretreatment with duloxetine, which blocks MDMA-induced release of serotonin and norepinephrine. MDMA also tended to increase urine sodium and osmolality, indicating renal water retention, despite increased water intake. This sex difference in vasopressin secretion may explain why hyponatremia is more common in female ecstasy users.