DOB - Dimethoxy Bromoamphetamine



Background

NACD Advisory about DOB.

  • White tablets without any logo have appeared in Ireland
  • Taken as Ecstasy, these tablets actually contain DOB - Dimethoxy Bromoamphetamine
  • This was first made in the late 1960's
  • Street name "Snowballs"
  • White tablets, No logo
  • Slightly smaller than MDMA, more rounded at the edges

Pharmacology & Clinical

  • Potent hallucinogenic amphetamine (different to Ecstasy)
  • May take up to 3 hours to have an effect (last from 8 to 24 hours) so people take more expecting early effect

Clinical effects

  • Energising effect & very pronounced hallucinations (v different to E)
  • Risks of delusional behaviour and psychotic reactions
  • Larger doses - memory loss, irrational violence / self-harm
  • Vascular spasm can result in limb gangrene

Suspect in patient who is agitated or who hallucinates after taking "ecstacy"


Management

  • Agitation treated with benzodiazepines
  • Heparin ± nitroprusside for spasm


Content by Dr Íomhar O' Sullivan. Last review Dr ÍOS 18/02/24.