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| Amphetamines
in Various Forms |
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| The term
"amphetamines"
is often used broadly to represent the artificial classes of central
nervous system (CNS) stimulants - including amphetamines,
methamphetamines, the designer drugs MDMA (ecstasy) and MDA, and
other designer drugs.
These substances are similar in chemistry and also have generally similar
effects on users. Prescription and illicit forms of amphetamine are discussed below. Methamphetamines
and the designer drugs are discussed on
separate pages. |
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| Synonyms:
Deoxynorephedrine, Desoxynorephedrine, Dextroamphetamine |
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| Drug Class:
Anorexic,
CNS Stimulant |
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| Trade Names:
Adderall, Dexedrine, Dexedrine Spansule, DextroStat |
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| Street Names:
Beans, Bennies, Black Beauties, Christmas Trees, Dexies, Double Trouble, Pep
Pills, Speed, Uppers |
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| Description:
Amphetamine, commonly referred to as "speed", was first marketed in the
1930's as Benzedrine in an
over-the-counter inhaler to treat nasal congestion. By 1937,
amphetamine was available by prescription in tablet form. During
World War II, amphetamine was widely used to keep soldiers alert and
both dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methamphetamine (Methedrine)
became readily available. Until recent years, amphetamines were commonly prescribed
for weight loss. But due to a high potential for abuse and
addiction, they are now reserved for limited treatment of
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy (attacks
of uncontrollable sleepiness), and Parkinson's disease. Because amphetamines increase
alertness, energy, and a sense of well-being, they are sometimes
used illicitly by truck drivers, shift workers, students, and
athletes. They are also commonly abused as appetite suppressant. Amphetamines are found in a wide variety of
shapes and forms and also have a wide variety of sources. Thus, even experienced users may be unable to tell
which drug they have actually taken.
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| Amphetamines are found in both prescription form and in
illicitly manufactured forms.
Prescription amphetamines are usually found in the form of tablets or capsules
- in a variety of shapes and colors. Though prescription
amphetamines can be found on the street, typical street amphetamine
is manufactured in illicit laboratories. This form of the drug has a
higher potential for abuse and addiction than the prescription
forms. Illicit amphetamine is found in varied colors, but is
normally a white crystalline powder that is sniffed. It is also commonly converted to a liquid form and injected. |
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| Excretion:
Under normal conditions in the 24-hour
urine,
approximately 30% of an amphetamine dose is excreted as unchanged
amphetamine, 16% to 28% as
hippuric acid, 4% as benzoylglucuronide, 2% to 4% as conjugated p-hydroxyamphetamine,
2% as norephedrine, 0.9% as phenylacetone, and 0.3% as conjugated p-hydroxynorephedrine.
These figures can vary significantly as a result of differences in
urine pH. |
| ABC's -
Amphetamines.
Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission. 10 Sept.
2001 <http://www.nadc.gov.ab.ca/aadac/addictions/abc/amphetamines.htm>. |
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| Amphetamines.
DRUG-ARM - Drug Awareness and Relief Movement. 10 Sept. 2001 <http://www.drugarm.com.au/drug_info/a-z_of_drugs/amphetamines.htm>. |
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| Baselt, Randall C.,
and Robert H. Cravey. Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in
Man. Chicago: Year Book Medical Publishers, Inc., 1989. |
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| Drug Information
- Amphetamines. The Centre for Recovery. 10 Sept.
2001 <http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/terrace/gjl37/druginfo/amphet.html>. |
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| NIDA Infofax
13553 - Pain Medications and Other Prescription Drugs. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
10 Sept.
2001 <http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/PainMed.html>. |
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