Priapism, Ecstasy, and Marijuana: Is There a Connection?

Abstract

Priapism is a urological emergency with multiple aetiologies including drug induced. Currently, there have been no reports of priapism induced by the combination of ecstasy and marijuana. We speculated on the potential mechanisms for acute drug-induced priapism resulting from ingestion of these two common illicit drugs.

Conversion of Low‐Flow to High‐Flow Priapism: A Case Report and Review (CME)

“…IP is the most common subtype and is often associated with prescription medication use (antihypertensives, vasoactive agents, antidepressants, antipsychotics), illicit drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy, hypercoagulable states, and blood dyscrasias, specifically, sickle cell anemia (SCA) [3–5]. In our case, the precise cause of the priapism was unclear, as is the case in many instances.…”

Recurrent priapism in the setting of cannabis use

“…Sickle cell disease itself is the number one cause of secondary priapism in children ages five to ten years old (Banos et al, 1989). The third report notes cannabis and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) use prior to the episode of priapism, with MDMA already having been proven a cause of priapism (Tran et al, 2008). The fourth case report notes concurrent insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, cocaine use, and anabolic steroid use, with cocaine and diabetes each previously described causes of priapism (Evans et al, 2016).…”

A new cause of ischaemic priapism: Synthetic cannabinoids

“…Also, that patient was addicted to other recreational drugs, such as ecstasy. The second reported case had asymptomatic sickle cell disease along with the marijuana use (Matta, Tandra, & Berim, ; Tran, Wallace, & Sim, ).…”