Further Warnings On Party Pills (NZ)

Party pills dangerous says NZMA

New Zealand Doctor online
1 November 2006

Party pills dangerous says NZMA

Party pills containing benzylpiperazine should be avoided because of growing doubts about their safety, the NZMA says.

While party pills are legal, the NZMA is warning people not to take benzylpiperazine or BZP-based pills citing a New Zealand Medical Journal report [2006;119 (1233)] showing severe agitation, seizures, paranoia, hyperthermia, abdominal pain, and cardiac arrhythmias as side effects of the pills.

A Christchurch study, also published in the NZMJ [2005;118 (1227)], found 61 patients presented on 80 occasions to the emergency department of Christchurch Hospital from April to August 2005. Patients with adverse effects had taken an average of 4.5 tablets/capsules. Patients experienced symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, and muscle spasms. Fifteen toxic seizures were recorded, and two patients suffered life-threatening conditions.

NZMA chair Ross Boswell says if people insist on taking the pills they should limit their use to one or two pills. The pills should not be mixed with alcohol and other drugs or prescription medicines, should not be taken in a work environment and people with a history of psychiatric illness should avoid them, Dr Boswell says.

http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/HOTP/11-06/01Nov.htm

Stay away from party pills, warn medics

Stay away from party pills, warn medics

01 November 2006
NZPA


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]Party pills containing the ingredient Benzylpiperazine (BZP) can cause seizures, paranoia and hypothermia, and people should stay away from them altogether, the New Zealand Medical Association says.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]People with a history of psychiatric illness in particular should avoid taking the pills, which should not be mixed with alcohol, other drugs or prescription medicines. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]The legal status of pills containing BZP, originally developed as a drug to treat cattle with worms, is under question, and the association recommended in a statement today people should not take them until their status is determined. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]NZMA chairman Ross Boswell said there were growing concerns about the safety of BZP-based party pills. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]A recent study at Christchurch Hospital had examined 61 patients, presenting 80 times to the emergency department. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]Patients with adverse effects had taken an average of 4.5 tablets or capsules. Symptoms included insomnia, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, and muscle spasms. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]Fifteen toxic seizures were recorded, and two patients suffered life-threatening conditions. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]Dr Boswell said if people insist on taking the pills, they should make sure they stick to the manufacturer's recommended dose, of one or two pills, and not combine them with other stimulants. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]While the pills were often marketed as "herbal," there was nothing herbal about them, he said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]Further research on the effects of BZP is soon to be released by the Health Minister, Dr Boswell said. [/FONT]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3846975a7144,00.html