Chemsex is the use of psychoactive substances, mainly gamma-hydroxybutyrate, 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone), and methamphetamines to facilitate and enhance the experience of sexual intercourse. The toxicity of these drugs may be problematic and lead to a fatal outcome in some patients. We present the case of a 26-year-old man living with human immunodeficiency virus whose frequent use of mephedrone caused his death.
MaxwellSShahmaneshMGafosM.Chemsex behaviours among men who have sex with men: a systematic review of the literature. Int J Drug Policy2019;
63: 74–89.
2.
Dolengevich-SegalHRodríguez-SalgadoBGómez-ArnauJ, et al.
Severe psychosis, drug dependence, and hepatitis C related to slamming mephedrone. Case Rep Psychiatry2016;
2016: 8379562.
3.
GiorgettiRTagliabracciASchifanoF, et al.
When “chems” meet sex: a rising phenomenon called “chemsex”. Curr Neuropharmacol2017;
15: 762–770.
4.
PufallELKallMShahmaneshM, et al.; Positive Voices study group.
Sexualized drug use (‘chemsex’) and high-risk sexual behaviours in HIV-positive men who have sex with men. HIV Med2018;
19: 261–270.
5.
DunkleyEJIsbisterGKSibbrittD, et al.
The Hunter Serotonin Toxicity Criteria: simple and accurate diagnostic decision rules for serotonin toxicity. QJM2003;
96: 635–642.
6.
González-BaezaADolengevich-SegalHPérez-ValeroI, et al.
Sexualized drug use (chemsex) is associated with high-risk sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted infections in HIV-positive men who have sex with men: data from the U-SEX GESIDA 9416 study. AIDS Patient Care STDS2018;
32: 112–118.
7.
SorianoVRomeroJD.Rebound in sexually transmitted infections following the success of antiretrovirals for HIV/AIDS. AIDS Rev2018;
20: 187–204.
8.
BracchiMStuartDCastlesR, et al.
Increasing use of ‘party drugs’ in people living with HIV on antiretrovirals: a concern for patient safety. AIDS2015;
29: 1585–1592.
9.
CorkeryJMLoiBClaridgeH, et al.
Deaths in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender United Kingdom communities associated with GHB and precursors. Curr Drug Metab2018;
19: 1086–1099.
10.
WinstockAMitchesonLRamseyJ, et al.
Mephedrone: use, subjective effects and health risks. Addiction2011;
106: 1991–1996.
11.
ProsserJMNelsonLS.The toxicology of bath salts: a review of synthetic cathinones. J Med Toxicol2012;
8: 33–42.
12.
Sun-EdelsteinCTepperSJShapiroRE.Drug-induced serotonin syndrome: a review. Expert Opin Drug Saf2008;
7: 587–596.
13.
GarrettGSweeneyM.The serotonin syndrome as a result of mephedrone toxicity. BMJ Case Rep2010;
2010: bcr0420102925.
14.
BoyerEWShannonM.The serotonin syndrome. N Engl J Med2005;
352: 1112.
15.
NaserzadehPJokarFVafaeiF, et al.
Toxicity of new synthetic amphetamine drug mephedrone on rat heart mitochondria: a warning for its abuse. Xenobiotica2018;
48: 1278–1284.
