Re: MAPS: Plasma MDMA Levels Nonlinear with Dose

[Cyrus McCandless <cyrus@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Peak plasma levels are the maximum concentration, in parts-per-million
usually, that a drug reaches in blood plasma samples taken at intervals
over a period of time following drug administration.  This data is
important for toxicity studies because it gives a better measure than
mg/kg in terms of figuring out exactly how much drug an animal is getting
into their system in an animal toxicity study, compared with humans, say.
It is also important in
that toxic effects, if any, are assumed to be related to the concentration
of the drug in the affected area.  So, for example, if someone were to
take a certain amount of a drug all at once, their peak plasma level would
be very high, compared to, say, someone who took the same amount of drug
in divided doses.  This being the case, often one can acheive the same
subjective effects by using the same amount of drug or maybe a little more
in divided doses rather than all at once, thus keeping peak plasma levels
down, and keeping concentrations in areas where the drug may be toxic
from reaching too-high levels.
In terms of harm reduction, my best guess is that divided doses are better
than single, large doses for any drug where toxicity is an issue.  This is
an interesting proposition, but I do not know if it has been confirmed.
There is a toxicologist I know listening out there who perhaps may put in
her two cents on this idea.  The best advice of course, is to take the
least amount necessary, or even better, none at all when toxicity is an
issue.

Cyrus


On Wed, 5 May 1999 ltjw2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Sorry to appear ignorant, but what are peak plasma levels? and are high
> ones dangerous? Bob says that this could be important for neurotoxicity
> studies - why?
>     luke
> 
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