Pioglitazone and MDMA

Pioglitazone and MDMA

Title: Pioglitazone and MDMA
Authored by Philippa Gold
Edited by Hugh Soames
Reviewed by Dr. Ruth Arenas
Pioglitazone and MDMA: At Worlds Best Rehab, we strive to provide the most up-to-date and accurate medical information on the web so our readers can make informed decisions about their healthcare. Our subject matter experts are specialize in addiction treatment and behavioral healthcare. We follow strict guidelines when fact-checking information and only use credible sources when citing statistics and medical information. Look for the badge on our articles for the most up-to-date and accurate information. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate or out-of-date, please let us know via our Contact Page
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MDMA, full name methylenedioxy-methylamphetamine. Bit of a mouthful so most people just call it MDMA, Ecstasy, Molly, Mum and Dad, X, E, or XTC, Disco Biscuits, Thizz and all the other street names that can leave the uninitiated user a bit confused.

Can you can mix Pioglitazone and MDMA?

Before we go on to talk about Pioglitazone and MDMA, a disclaimer: The World’s Best Rehab Recovery Blog aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with addiction and mental health concerns. We use fact-based content and publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by professionals. The information we publish is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

Honestly, we don’t recommend mixing Pioglitazone with MDMA. If you’re using it recreationally why bother? Pioglitazone does nothing to enhance the effects of MDMA and can cause serious complications that are really going to put a downer on your evening. Like death for example, which is always a risk when mixing MDMA and Pioglitazone.

When mixed with Pioglitazone, MDMA can affect the body’s ability to keep the correct temperature. Indeed, this can also be caused by taking MDMA in higher quantities without mixing it with Pioglitazone. Users sometimes experience a dangerous rise in body temperature (hyperthermia), which can result in liver, kidney, or heart failure—or even (as we said before) death.

Pioglitazone and MDMA interactions

If you’re searching out the interactions between Pioglitazone and MDMA do remember that with MDMA there’s actually no way to tell what it’s cut and mixed with. Pure MDMA—meaning there are no other substances in it—is not a safe drug to take. MDMA on its own and even without Pioglitazone can have many of the same effects as other stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines. A person using Ecstasy could experience increased heart rate and blood pressure, muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, and chills or sweating.

Because MDMA isn’t pure you don’t know the interactions with Pioglitazone in your body

MDMA is just as likely to be mixed with other substances as any other drug. Supposedly “pure” Molly can contain ephedrine (a stimulant), dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), ketamine, caffeine, cocaine, methamphetamine, or even bath salts. Just because it comes in crystal or powder form—instead of a pill like Ecstasy—doesn’t prove that it’s pure. WIth this being the case, there’s no way to accurately predict the effect of mixing Pioglitazone and MDMA in your body. Indeed, the chemical reactions of MDMA nad Pioglitazone in your body could be totally different to someone else taking the exact same amount of Pioglitazone and MDMA because of individual physiology.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a substantial percentage of Molly or Ecstasy contain some level of adulterants in them. So then it’s not just looking at the effects of mixing Pioglitazone and Molly. It’s about mixing MDMA and Pioglitazone and whatever else gets used as a cutting agent.

Common things used to cut MDMA

Paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) or MDEA
Aspirin
Caffeine
Methamphetamine or amphetamine
Cocaine
Bath salts, including drugs like mephedrone
Butylone
Ketamine
LSD

Worryingly, the DEA have also reported that “more than 80 different unique substances have been marketed as MDMA. Many drugs sold as Molly or ecstasy contain no MDMA at all.” Which is a worry, anyway you choose to look at it.

Pioglitazone and MDMA and Fentanyl

What the above list of cutting agents doesn’t reveal is probably the most harrowing thing to emerge over the past few years. Being the widespread and unreserved use of Fentanyl as a cutting agent for MDMA and other drugs. Now, MDMA is used recreationally by many people. It’s illegal. And most people are informed enough to balance the risk (both of prosecution and to health) of taking MDMA, and mixing MDMA with Pioglitazone.

What most people don’t bargain on is getting a massive, deadly dose of Fentanly thinking it’s MDMA. Totally wrong. Unacceptable behavior in the eyes of many, yet seemingly acceptable practice by those involved in the sale and production of MDMA. When we throw Fentanl into the mix with MDMA and then {Fuldrug} the chances of a massive Myocardial infarction… AKA heart attack. And usually death.

Isn’t MDMA Safe? Then surely Pioglitazone and MDMA safe too?

No drug is ‘safe’. That’s the nature of drugs! If they can be avoided 100% then great. If not. Make yourself aware of all the facts and interactions between drugs. When it comes to MDMA there has been a fair bit of news recently regarding clinical trials in a medically supervised environment. Psilocybin and MDMA are two of the promising psychedelic medications for mental illness treatment. A recent phase 3 trial of MDMA and talk therapy for individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder offered positive results. However, these are limited medical trials. They are in no way advocating the use of MDMA or of mixing Pioglitazone and MDMA.

Mixing drugs is not something to take lightly, if you are taking Pioglitazone and are also consuming alcohol or weed, you can research the effects here. The effects of Pioglitazone and Weed or the effects of Pioglitazone and Alcohol or Pioglitazone and Cocaine.

Pioglitazone vs MDMA

Pioglitazone, sold under the brand name Actos among others, is an anti-diabetic medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It may be used with metformin, a sulfonylurea, or insulin. Use is recommended together with exercise and diet. It is not recommended in type 1 diabetes. It is taken by mouth.

Common side effects include headaches, muscle pains, inflammation of the throat, and swelling. Serious side effects may include bladder cancer, low blood sugar, heart failure, and osteoporosis. Use is not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is in the thiazolidinedione (TZD) class and works by improving sensitivity of tissues to insulin.

Pioglitazone was patented in 1985, and came into medical use in 1999. It is available as a generic medication. In 2019, it was the 179th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3 million prescriptions. It was withdrawn in France and Germany in 2011.

MDMA vs Pioglitazone

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly seen in tablet form (ecstasy) and crystal form (molly or mandy), is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant primarily used for recreational purposes. The desired effects include altered sensations, increased energy, empathy, and pleasure. When taken by mouth, effects begin in 30 to 45 minutes and last 3 to 6 hours.

MDMA was first developed in 1912 by Merck. It was used to enhance psychotherapy beginning in the 1970s and became popular as a street drug in the 1980s. MDMA is commonly associated with dance parties, raves, and electronic dance music. It may be mixed with other substances such as ephedrine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine. In 2016, about 21 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 used ecstasy (0.3% of the world population). This was broadly similar to the percentage of people who use cocaine or amphetamines, but lower than for cannabis or opioids. In the United States, as of 2017, about 7% of people have used MDMA at some point in their lives and 0.9% have used it in the last year.

Short-term adverse effects include grinding of the teeth, blurred vision, sweating and a rapid heartbeat, and extended use can also lead to addiction, memory problems, paranoia and difficulty sleeping. Deaths have been reported due to increased body temperature and dehydration. Following use, people often feel depressed and tired. MDMA acts primarily by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline in parts of the brain. It belongs to the substituted amphetamine classes of drugs and has stimulant and hallucinogenic effects.

MDMA is illegal in most countries and has limited approved
medical uses in a small number of countries. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration is currently evaluating the drug for clinical use. Canada has allowed limited distribution of MDMA and other psychedelics such as psilocybin upon application to and approval by Health Canada.

Overdose effects of Pioglitazone and MDMA

According to the most recent data, about 119,,000 people are treated for problems related to ecstasy and MDMA in emergency rooms in the United States alone. Furthermore, one study found that in 2019, there were 19,458 deaths from psychostimulants including MDMA.

But the answer to the question, “Can you overdose on ecstasy?” is not entirely straightforward. While it is possible to die as a result of ecstasy use, deaths from this drug are not necessarily a direct result of taking too much, but rather due to the side effects. And when mixing Pioglitazone and MDMA these side effects may be enhanced rapidly and exponentially.

According to medical experts, direct deaths from MDMA and Ecstasy use are usually down to overheating. The MDMA interferes with the body’s ability to regulate temperature and Pioglitazone interferes with this process even further. When people are then in warm environments or dancing, the risk of overheating is higher. The medical term for this is hyperthermia, and with hyperthermia people are at increased isk of:

Dehydration
Swelling of the brain
Muscle breakdown
Electrolyte imbalances
Organ failure

Pioglitazone and MDMA Emergencies

Many ecstasy “overdoses” are a direct result of additives in the pills themselves, such as Fentanly that we discussed earlier. When MDMA users arrive at a hospital or rehab center physicians and staff will not immediately know what per cent of the pills they’ve ingested was MDMA as opposed to other additives, or indeed what other substances (legal or illegal) have been ingested i.e. Pioglitazone and MDMA. This requires blood toxicology examinations and while the results are being waited on, medical professionals will do their best to treat dehydration and overheating¹.

Once a patient is stabilized, there is a good chance of a full recovery. That being said, some cases of ecstasy overdose can be fatal, especially when Fentanyl and other highly dangerous cutting agents have been used.

If you have been using MDMA and ecstasy and find that it is difficult to stop, it is likely time to reach out for assistance. Don’t risk an overdose emergency or developing a chronic addiction.

If you take Pioglitazone, and also drink Alcohol or MDMA, you can research the effects of Pioglitazone and Alcohol as well as Pioglitazone and weed and Pioglitazone and Cocaine here.

To find the effects of other drugs and weed refer to our Weed and Other Drugs Index A to L or our Weed and Other Drugs Index M-Z.

Or you could find what you are looking for in our Alcohol and Other Drugs index A to L or Alcohol and Other Drugs index M to Z or our MDMA and Other Drugs Index A to L or MDMA and Other Drugs Index M to Z. or Cocaine and Other Drugs Index A to L or Cocaine and Other Drugs Index M to Z.

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If you are looking stop using either MDMA or Pioglitazone, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. MDMA withdrawal can be researched here and Pioglitazone withdrawal can be found on our Withdrawal index.

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References: Pioglitazone and MDMA

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3931692/