What is MDMA?

One man has died and four others remain critically ill after taking the drug, known locally as ‘pink champagne’ or magic’ over the weekend.

Professor Matthew Makin, the medical director for the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, says users are ‘taking their lives in their hands’ and has spoken out to warn people off the drug.

Prof Makin says that despite its name ‘pink champagne’ the drug does not have one particular colour which makes it identifiable.

Tests are still ongoing to determine why the strain is making people ill and it is still not clear if the strain is particularly potent, or contains a contaminating agent.

Prof Makin warned that the best way to stay safe is to avoid taking drugs altogether.

MDMA alters the mood and perception of users.

The drug typically makes users feel more sociable and tactile and induces a state of euphoria.

Its effects can last for three to six hours.

The new strain however, has been causing toxicity syndrome in some users.Some of the symptoms can include becoming paranoid and agitated, as well as muscle rigidity jaw clenching and frothing at the mouth.

It can also lead to seizures and cause the body to fail to be able to regulate its own temperature.It can also cause cardiac arrhythmia, where the heart beats too quickly or slowly, and eventually potentially lead to death.

All the patients being treated in hospital are from Rochdale, Oldham and Bury and are thought to be in their twenties.

They are being cared for at Fairfield General Hospital in Bury and Oldham Royal Hospital.