Assessment of MDMA tablet and capsule dosages from seizures in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is prominent in the illicit drug market and usually presents as tablets, capsules, or crystal. Drug purity determinations are typically performed in the Forensic Chemistry, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services (QHFSS) laboratory on homogenised samples, yielding an average MDMA concentration which can be used to calculate average MDMA dosages (mg) per unit (i.e., tablet or capsule). Little published research exists however regarding individual dosage variability and drug content of capsules and tablets in the Australian illicit drug market. This study assessed selected tablet and capsule submissions as a part of routine casework over an 18-month period primarily to examine MDMA dosage variations between tablets or capsules within the same exhibit. Additionally, dosage variations from different seizures of the same logo or appearance were investigated where possible. Generally, tablet exhibits were found to have consistent dosages however, there were several instances where large variations were noted. These dosage variations were often attributable to inconsistent tablet whole weights, compounded by differences in MDMA concentration within tablets. MDMA dosage differences in capsule presentations were generally due to differences in capsule contents weight with some instances of individual capsules recording double the MDMA dosage of other capsules in the same seizure. To complement this study, results from all available MDMA detections from 2017 to 2020 in the QHFSS laboratory were examined. Average MDMA concentrations within tablets, capsules and crystal presentations increased during that time. Correspondingly, average MDMA dosages increased within capsule and tablet presentations, noting there was still a substantial range of MDMA dosages observed within capsule and tablet presentations. Finally, the presence of adulterants (psychoactive or non-psychoactive) in combination with MDMA was reported in a small proportion of cases, and more frequently in tablets than capsules. This study has provided a comprehensive survey and highlights the potential dosage variability that may be encountered in MDMA presentations in Queensland.