Problems in three Japanese drug users with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection

Numbers of individuals infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are increasing in Japan. The majority of them are Men who have sex with men and a part of them take drugs as 'Sex drug' at their sexual intercourse. Especially, Amyl nitrite, Meth- amphetamine, 5-methoxy-N, N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DIPT ; Foxy), and 3, 4- methylenedioxy- methamphetamine (MDMA ; Ecstasy) are used, and they sometimes cause the physical and mental disorders. However, the actual drug inducing troubles among Japanese HIV-infected drug users had not yet been discussed enough. In this report, we describe three cases with HIV infection ; a case developed severe neu- roleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) after taking 5-MeO-DIPT, a case with persistent con- vulsion due to multiple drug intake and a case with rhabdomyolysis due to the non- subjective methamphetamine intake. Through these cases, we raise and discuss several underlying problems associated with drug use among HIV-infected individuals. J. Med. Invest. 55 : 156-160, February, 2008