At doses lower than 50mg (depending upon body weight), PMA produces an increase in energy, minor visual hallucinations, and a mild euphoric state. At slightly higher doses, sudden increases in heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature can occur to dangerously high levels that, if untreated, can result in convulsions, coma and death (DanceSafe p.2).
Despite some media representations, PMA is not a ‘new version of ecstasy’ – rather it is being manufactured and sold as ecstasy because it is easier and cheaper to make than real MDMA (DanceSafe p.1). There have been a number of reported overdoses attributed to PMA in Australia over the last 12 or so years, with a handful of overdoses (one near fatal) occurring in Sydney in 2004 and 6 people dying as a result of PMA overdose in South Australia back in 1995/1996.
Evidence suggests that in all cases the users believed they were taking ecstasy and had no knowledge that PMA was present in their tablets (ACON 2007, p.1).
What to look out for?
PMA is usually found in pressed pills, capsules and powder forms. When pure, PMA is a white powder but can also appear as beige, white or pink. Many of the PMA tablets sold as ecstasy in Australia have appeared as white or beige ‘Mitsubishi’ tablets, have a diameter of 7-7.5mm and are slightly thicker than most pills, althought it must be noted that labels and insignias area easily changed so not a reliable indicator of a pill containing PMA.
Harm minimisation
If you are planning to use ecstasy in the near future, The Aids Council of New South Wales (2007, p.2) has recommended the following signs and guidelines to stay safe:
- Reduce doses
- Avoid double dosing
- Wait in between doses (effects of PMA can take up to 4 hours)
- Minimise the range of drugs consumed
- Avoid drinking alcohol when consuming illicit drugs.
Signs of high/toxic dose include:
- Excessively high body temperature
- Increased blood pressure and pulse rate
- Breathing difficulties
- Muscle spasms
- Nausea (vomiting)
- Delirium and hallucinations.
What to do?
- If with friends, keep an eye out for each other and be aware of symptoms
- If unforeseen symptoms arise call an ambulance immediately.
References
- DanceSafe p.2 Aids Council of New South Wales. 2007, ’IMPORTANT HEALTH WARNING PMA ALERT: PMA (Paramethoxyamphetamine) Death in Sydney’, http://www.acon.org.au/health/index.cfm?doc_id=1788&cat_id=33 [Accessed 26/02/07]
- Alexander, H. & Braithwaite, D. 2007, The Sydney Morning Herald, ’Annabel drug alert as woman charged’, http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/toxic-drug-pma-may-have-killed-reveller /2007/02... [Accessed 26/02/07]
- DanceSafe: Promoting health and safety within the rave and nightclub community. ’PMA Warning’, http://www.dancesafe.org/documents/druginfo/pma_faq.php [Accessed 26/02/07]
- Gibson, J. & Chubby, B. 2007, The Sydney Morning Herald, ’Delay over death questioned’, http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/delay-over-death-questioned/2007/02/20/1171733... [Accessed 26/02/07]
Reproduced from TASTE magazine (Autumn 2007) with permission from TasCAHRD, our cousins in Tasmania. Visit their site at www.tascahrd.org.au