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Mixing Antibiotics and MDMA

Published: September 21, 2017
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Im taking antibiotics for chlamydia, metronidazole and erythromycin, and was planning on taking half a pill (mdma) at the weekend, is this safe or a bad idea? what effects will it have affect the antibiotics from working ?
Signed: Mixing Antibiotics and MDMA
Dear Mixing Antibiotics and MDMA,

You mentioned that you are currently taking antibiotics to treat chlamydia. Even if the infection no longer causes you genital pain/discomfort, it is essential to finish the entire medication sequence that your doctor prescribed to you, so you can be sure the chlamydia infection goes away.

It is also important to know how chlamydia is prevented, so you are able to protect yourself from becoming infected again. Planned Parenthood suggests:

  • Tell your past and present sexual partners you have chlamydia, so they can get tested and treated too.
  • Don't have sex with anyone for 7 days from when you got or started treatment.
  • Your sex partners should also be treated before they have sex with anyone, including you.
  • Once you’ve finished your treatment and start having sex again, it’s still a good idea to use condoms every single time you have sex. 

 

It would also be a good idea to check out our Resource of the Month: Planned Parenthood Resources on Safer Sex so you can learn about sexual readiness, birth control, STDs, pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, myths and facts about sex and more. The more educated you are and the more precautions you take when it comes to being sexually active, the less likely you will find yourself in a situation where you are dealing with an unwanted pregnancy or the transmission of an STD.

Further, you mentioned that you plan to consume MDMA this weekend. FX is concerned about why you feel the need to consume this illegal drug. MDMA is a synthetic drug, meaning that it’s made of chemicals. Sometimes each pill, or batch of pills, can have different combinations of substances in the mix and cause unknown consequences. Keep in mind that there are no quality control measures in terms of guaranteeing the purity of various types of drugs, including MDMA. It is usually made in illegal laboratories, basements and garages – and these tablets can easily be cut or mixed with other psychoactive substances. Substances found mixed with MDMA include heroin, ketamine, and ephedrine (herbal ecstasy). So when you take MDMA, you won’t know everything you’re taking. This being so, FX highly discourages mixing MDMA pills with your current antibiotics.

According to NIDA for Teens, potential risks associated with MDMA use include:

  • People who use MDMA might feel very alert, or “hyper.” But MDMA can also cause muscle cramping, nausea, blurred vision, increased heart rate and blood pressure – and in rare cases, hyperthermia and even death.
  • Potential side effects of MDMA include feelings of sadness, anxiety, depression, and memory difficulties. These can last for several days to a week (or longer in people who use it regularly).
  • MDMA can be extremely dangerous in high doses (taking one high dose or taking multiple small doses within a short period of time) – increasing the risk of seizures and compromising the heart’s ability to maintain its normal rhythms. A study in animals showed that exposure to high doses of MDMA for 4 days produced brain damage that could still be seen 6-7 years later.
  • MDMA can be addictive for some people.

 

TeenHealthFX suggests reading the following resources for further information on MDMA:

 

TeenHealthFX is concerned why using drugs is so important to you, and thinks it would be very helpful for you to reflect. Consider speaking to your parents, a school counselor, or a private therapist about your drug habits immediately. If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 888-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network mental health providers or check with your school social worker or psychologist to get a list of referrals in your area.

Signed: TeenHealthFX

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