Unexpected Serotonin Syndrome, Epileptic Seizures, and Cerebral Edema Following 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine Ingestion.
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 18-year-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.
['Spoelder|Antoinette S|AS|', 'Louwerens|Jan K G|JKG|', 'Krens|Stefanie D|SD|', 'Jager|Nynke|N|', 'LeCouffe|Natalie E|NE|', 'de Ruijter|Wouter|W|', 'Brunt|Tibor M|TM|']
D000293:Adolescent D001929:Brain Edema D002853:Chromatography, Liquid D015198:Designer Drugs D004118:Dimethoxyphenylethylamine D006801:Humans D008297:Male D012640:Seizures D020230:Serotonin Syndrome D019966:Substance-Related Disorders D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
serotonin syndrome 2C-B designer drugs forensic science intoxication phenethylamine