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Is it a problem to take MDMA 36 hours before general anesthesia?
| Q: |
I do know that this is stupid, and that I should not take anything on Saturday night when I'm having a general anesthetic on Monday morning. But, if I were to take a not-huge amount of MDMA, would it cause a conflict or problem with the anesthesia? I will probably ask the anesthesiologist, but would rather be forewarned if it is going to make surgery absolutely impossible that day. |
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| A: |
There are a number of different drugs that can be used to induce general anesthesia; sometimes more than one drug is used. Without knowing what specific drugs will be used in your surgery, it is impossible to comment whether or not there could be contraindications from prior consumption of MDMA. It is a good idea to ask the anesthesiologist what anesthetic they will be using and whether or not it might react with other drugs (including pharmaceutical and over-the-counter) that might be in a person's system.
In a previous Ask Erowid, we discussed the half-life of MDMA and its metabolites. (See What is the half life of MDMA?) With a 125 mg dose of pure material, about 36 hours after ingestion there would be approximately 8 mg of MDMA remaining in a person's system. Some metabolites of MDMA have a longer half life and would remain in the body for even longer. While the amounts of MDMA and its metabolites remaining after 36 hours will be small, there is the possibility that they could impact anesthesia to some degree.
Additionally, drugs other than MDMA are often sold as "ecstasy" these days, sometimes in pills containing multiple active drugs. Each chemical has its own half-life and contraindications with other medications. Uncertainty over what any particular "MDMA" contains is a good reason to avoid taking it before surgery.
Regardless of the reason for general anesthesia, it is always a good idea to be in top health and well rested prior to undergoing surgery, in order to assure the most rapid and complete recovery. Keep in mind that MDMA can negatively affect sleep patterns and leave one feeling a bit crispy in the following few days after taking it.
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Categories:
[ Pharmaceuticals ]
[ MDMA (Ecstasy) ]
[ Drug Interactions ]
[ Effects ]
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