Tormey W P, Bruzzi A
Department of Chemical Pathology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Med Sci Law. 2001 Oct;41(4):331-6. doi: 10.1177/002580240104100410.
A short-lasting episode of acute psychosis in a 32-year-old male which followed the consumption of alcohol, caffeine and 'vigueur fit' tablets containing ephedra alkaloids is reported. Less than two days after the event, a urine sample contained 22 microg/ml of ephedrine and 5 microg/ml of pseudoephedrine. Despite detailed pharmacological evidence being given at a jury trial, he was convicted of assault and trespass and was fined pounds sterling 16,000. An earlier incident involving misbehaviour on an aircraft again involving alcohol and ephedrine resulted in a conviction and a court order to provide twice weekly urine tests for alcohol for a period of six months. He stopped taking the alkaloid tablets after the second incident. There was no history of aberrant behaviour in this man outwith the period when taking these tablets. Ephedra alkaloids may cause psychosis and their effects can be exaggerated by interaction with caffeine and ethanol. To protect the public, the use of stimulant drugs in over-the-counter weight control programmes should be prescription only and the package insert should include a warning on the dangers of concomitant use of ethanol.
报告了一名32岁男性在饮用酒精、咖啡因并服用含有麻黄生物碱的“活力健身”片剂后出现的短期急性精神病发作。事件发生不到两天后，一份尿液样本中含有22微克/毫升的麻黄碱和5微克/毫升的伪麻黄碱。尽管在陪审团审判中提供了详细的药理学证据，但他仍被判犯有攻击罪和非法侵入罪，并被罚款16000英镑。早些时候一起涉及在飞机上行为不端的事件，同样涉及酒精和麻黄碱，导致他被定罪，并被法院下令在六个月内每周提供两次酒精尿液检测。第二次事件后，他停止服用生物碱片剂。在服用这些片剂期间之外，该男子没有异常行为史。麻黄生物碱可能会导致精神病，并且与咖啡因和乙醇的相互作用会使其影响加剧。为保护公众，非处方体重控制计划中使用的兴奋剂药物应仅凭处方使用，药品说明书应包含关于同时使用乙醇危险性的警告。
