high efficacy stimulants - amphetamines

Question 1

what is amphetamine?

Answer 1

the parent compound of a family of synthetic psychostimulants that are structurally related to dopamine (DA).

Question 2

what are the similar to amphetamine plant compounds ?

Answer 2

• cathinone
• ephedrine

Question 3

what is true about amphetamines and methamphetamines in terms of formation?

Answer 3

they are synthetic (MADE IN LAB)

Question 4

what are the different types of amphetamines?

Answer 4

• L-amphetamine (Benzedrine)
• D-amphetamine (Dexedrine)
  a. More potent than L-amphetamine
  Narcolepsy, ADHD (Adderall)
  • Adderall: 3:1 mixture of D-amphetamine to
    L-amphetamine!

Question 5

what type of drug is amphetamines and what is its accepted medical use

Answer 5

schedule 2

for…
- ADHD
- Narcolepsy (can’t stay awake)

Question 6

what is the physical characteristics of methamphetamine?

Answer 6

commonly found as an odorless, white or off-white, bitter-tasting powder
also found in pills, capsules & larger crystals.

Question 7

what type of drug is methamphetamine and what is its medical use?

Answer 7

ADHD

Question 8

compare amphetamines to cocaine

Answer 8

• longer half life
  a. cocaine = 30 min
  b. amphetamines = 12 hours
• longer drug actions
  a. up to 30 minutes
  b. 10 hours
• pattern of drug use
  a. cocaine = binges
  b. amphetamines = use every few hours for
  days

Question 9

what is the route of administration of amphetamine and methamphetamine?

Answer 9

Amphetamine: oral, intranasal, injection (IV or SC)

Methamphetamine: orally, intranasal, IV injection, inhalation (smoked)

Question 10

what is the absorption of amphetamine and methamphetamine?

Answer 10

• water soluble so well absorbed in blood
• GI tract absorption is slow
• amphetamines are weak bases
• high doses of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can impair amphetamine absoption cuz it makes your GI more acidic and amphetamines are weak bases
• IV/smokes is very rapid