Medical Complications of Crystal Methamphetamine

SUMMARY

This article reviews available literature on the medical morbidities associated with methamphetamine abuse in HIV-infected patients. Medical complications include hypertension, hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, and stroke. One fatal case of ingestion of methamphetamine with HIV medication has been documented. Two fatal cases of ingestion of HIV medication with the amphetamine analogue n-methyl-3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or “ecstasy”) have also been reported. Some molecular researchers suggest that dopaminergic systems are vulnerable to the combined neurotoxicity of HIV infection and methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is a new challenge related to treatment and prevention of HIV infection.

KEYWORDS:

• AIDS
• cardiovascular
• drug interactions
• HIV
• HIV dementia
• medical complications
• methamphetamine
• neurotoxicity
• neurotransmitter toxicity
• side effects
• substance abuse