Unexpected Serotonin Syndrome, Epileptic Seizures, and Cerebral Edema Following 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐bromophenethylamine Ingestion

• Spoelder, Antoinette S. ^[1] ; Louwerens, Jan K. G. ^[1] ; Krens, Stefanie D. ^[1] ; Jager, Nynke ^[1] ; LeCouffe, Natalie E. ^[1] ; Ruijter, Wouter ^[1] ; Brunt, Tibor M. ^[2]
  1. [1] Department Intensive Care, Northwest Clinics (Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep), The Netherlands
  2. [2] Amsterdam University Medical Centre, The Netherlands
• Localización: Journal of forensic sciences, ISSN-e 1556-4029, ISSN 0022-1198, Vol. 64, Nº. 6, 2019, págs. 1950-1952
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B) is a designer drug. In Europe, 2C-B is easily obtained and used for recreational purposes. It is known for its stimulating effects similar to those of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, although in higher doses it has more hallucinogenic effects. Here, we report a case of 2C-B ingestion, confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, in an 18year-old man. The neurological consequences were severe, including the development of serotonin syndrome and severe brain edema. Supportive therapy resulted in a stable condition, although, after several months, the patient still suffered from severe neurological impairment due to the drug-induced toxicity. This case showed that 2C-B could not be identified with the drugs of abuse screening routinely used in Dutch hospitals. The use of 2C-B carries many risks, with potentially profound neurological damage, that both consumers and healthcare physicians are unaware of.