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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 1930s 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 Parkinsons 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. |
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