MDMA (3,4 dimethoxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic compound that is not found in nature. It is structurally similar to the amphetamines. Known as 'ecstasy', this drug has unique stimulant properties that make it distinct from amphetamines.
About 20% of MDMA is excreted in the urine unchanged. The elimination half-life is approximately seven hours but, like amphetamines, alkaline urine can increase the half-life of MDMA to 16-31 hours.
Since the cross-reactivity of MDMA and its metabolites in amphetamine immunoassays is very low, most laboratories employ the use of a separate MDMA screen in addition to the amphetamine screen.
