Drug reference

Amphetamine

CNS Stimulant · Psychostimulant

Also known as Dextroamphetamine, DEXEDRINE, Methamphetamine, DESOXYN

CNS StimulantPsychostimulantATC N06BA01

CDSCO approvedSchedule HATC N06BA01

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

12 major

SEVERE in our sources

PREGNANCY

—

not curated

Top interactionssee all 12 →

BupropionSevereDatabaseDDInter
CitalopramSevereDatabaseDDInter
DesvenlafaxineSevereDatabaseDDInter
DexfenfluramineSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Amphetamine acts by releasing norepinephrine and dopamine from nerve terminals. Its actions are mediated through increased synaptic concentrations of these biogenic amines. It also has marked stimulant effects on mood and alertness.

Indications

NarcolepsyAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)Obesity (off-label, no longer approved)Adjuvant in epilepsy (to counteract sedation caused by antiepileptics)Parkinsonism (to improve mood and slightly reduce rigidity)Nocturnal enuresis in childrenUrinary incontinenceenuresis and incontinence (historical use)obesity (questionable wisdom, rare)Attention-deficit disordersObesityADHDImproving cognition and working memoryAttention deficit hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD)Adjuvant in epilepsy (to counteract sedation)Adjuvant in parkinsonismObesity (for short periods in severe cases)

Dosing

Adult: ©2024 McGraw Hill. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Notice • Accessibility. ©2024 McGraw. than 10 mg) is 25 times higher than in the blood (0.4 mg).. unnecessary. Almost all the several thousand drugs currently available can be arranged into about 70 groups. Many of the drugs within each group are

Pharmacokinetics

Duration

several hours

Bioavailability

effective after oral administration

Contraindications

Anorexia
Insomnia
Asthenia
Psychopathic personality
History of homicidal or suicidal tendencies

Side effects

Common

HeadacheChillinessPallor or flushingPalpitationCardiac arrhythmiasAnginal painHypertension or hypotensionCirculatory collapseExcessive sweatingDry mouthMetallic tasteAnorexiaNauseaVomitingDiarrheaAbdominal crampsGrowth retardation (due to reduced appetite in children)dizzinessvasomotor disturbancesagitationconfusiondysphoriaapprehensionfatiguedepressionrestlessnesstremorhyperactive reflexestalkativenesstensenessirritabilityweaknessinsomniafevereuphoriaAnxietyGrowth retardation (in children, due to appetite reduction)

Serious

Convulsions
Coma
Cerebral hemorrhages
Psychological dependence
Tolerance
Behavioral abnormalities
High potential for abuse
cardiac arrhythmias
anginal pain
hypertension
hypotension
circulatory collapse
psychotic reaction (vivid hallucinations, paranoid delusions)
homicidal or suicidal tendencies
Psychosis (high doses)
Euphoria
Insomnia
Aggression
Panic
Marked excitement (progressing to mental confusion, delirium, hallucinations, acute psychotic state)
Rise in BP
Arrhythmias
Vascular collapse