KEY POINTS:
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.
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.
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 that people should not take them until their status is determined.
NZMA chairman Ross Boswell said there were growing concerns about the safety of BZP-based party pills.
A recent study at Christchurch Hospital had examined 61 patients, presenting 80 times to the emergency department.
Patients with adverse effects had taken an average of 4.5 tablets or capsules and suffered symptoms including insomnia, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, and muscle spasms.
Fifteen toxic seizures were recorded and two patients suffered life-threatening conditions.
Dr Boswell said if people did take the pills they should make sure they stuck to the manufacturer's recommended dose of one or two pills, and not combine them with other stimulants.
While the pills were often marketed as "herbal", there was nothing herbal about them, he said.
Further research on the effects of BZP is soon to be released by the Health Minister, Dr Boswell said.
- NZPA
