Pharmacological Interaction Between Pindolol and MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)

This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial (n=16) investigated the pharmacological interaction between pindolol (20 mg) and MDMA (1.6 mg/kg) in healthy male volunteers, specifically examining effects on cardiovascular function and adverse reactions.

The study was conducted at the Heffter Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry in Zurich, Switzerland, from June 2001 to March 2002. The research aimed to understand the role of beta-blockers in managing MDMA’s acute adverse effects, including tachycardia, hypertension, and hyperthermia. Participants were healthy males aged 18-45 with a BMI between 18-25 kg/m², who had minimal prior illicit drug use. The study measured both subjective and physiological responses over 24 hours, with particular attention to cardiovascular parameters.

This research was sponsored by University Hospital Basel in collaboration with the Heffter Research Institute, under the direction of Principal Investigator Dr Matthias E Liechti.

Topic Healthy Subjects Safety
Compound Placebo MDMA
Country Switzerland
Visit trial
Status Completed
Results Published No
Start date 01 June 2001
End date 01 March 2002
Phase Phase I
Design Blinded
Type Interventional
Generation First
Participants 16
Sex Male
Age 18- 45
Therapy No

Trial Details

MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, "Ecstasy") produces tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, and other acute adverse effects. Ecstasy use has also been associated with rare cardio- and cerebrovascular complications. The role of beta-blockers in treating cardiovascular and adverse effects of MDMA is unknown. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, we investigated the interactive effects of the beta-blocker pindolol (20 mg) with MDMA (1.6 mg/kg) on heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and adverse effects in 16 healthy subjects.

Trial Number NCT00895804

Sponsors & Collaborators

University of Basel
The University of Basel Department of Biomedicine hosts the Liechti Lab research group, headed by Matthias Liechti.

Heffter Research Institute
The Heffter Research Institute has been advancing psychedelics (psilocybin) as medicines since 1993.

Papers

Effects of a β-blocker on the cardiovascular response to MDMA (Ecstasy)
This double-blind cross-over study (n=16) finds that pindolol (medication for hypertension, 20mg) prevents the heart-raising effects of MDMA (112mg/70kg) but not the elevation of blood pressure.

Data attribution

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