Assays for MDMA and Its Metabolites

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is an illegal compound with empathogenic properties, and it is usually abused at raves. The consumption of this compound can produce irreversible damages to the neuronal system. Rapid and accurate determination of MDMA is necessary to urgently diagnose and treat intoxication or to investigate deaths related to MDMA. Another application for MDMA assay methods is in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics studies. In these cases, the determination of MDMA metabolites is needed including MDMA. The last important application of analytical methods is the profiling of seized MDMA samples, which can help to identify the samples’ origin and manufacturers. Different analytical methods have been developed to determine and identify this compound. MDMA has two optical isomers which exert different pharmacokinetic patterns or pharmacological and toxicological effects. Thus, enantioselective analytical techniques are also applicable. In this chapter, different analytical systems for the determination of MDMA and its metabolites, including a variety of matrices and sample preparation methods, are described.