Overview: Amphetamines

This overview is going to cover amphetamines, and there various forms, uses, and the vast interesting history they have.

Summary of Varying Forms

Firstly, I would like to view the forms of amphetamine that are commonly consumed for varying reasons. The most common and obvious, is Amphetamine, usually found in various forms of salts. This includes the stereoisomer Dextroamphetamine, commonly used medically (trade names Dexedrine, Vyvanse) and produced and used illicitly more commonly in Europe as “speed” usually in the Sulfate salt form. Possibly the most common form in the US, Adderall, is the salts of 75% d-amphet and 25% the other isomer l-amphet. The other forms, the substituted amphetamines are usually more illicit in usage. The next form, more common in North America, is Meth(yl)amphetamine. Methamphetamine, often referred to as Meth or other more colloquial terms, Crystal, Ice, Tina, and many more. This form, Meth, is the freebase form of the drug typically smoked, but is active and sometimes taken intranasally, injected, and even orally. Though the freebase form of Meth is a popular illicit drug and in the US a Schedule I substance, the salts of methamphetamine are only a Schedule II drug, and is very rarely used as a prescription drug for ADHD, narcolepsy, or short term weight loss under the trade name Desoxyn. The last I will cover, are the substituted-amphetamines MDMA and MDA. Though both different drugs, Methylenedioxy(methyl)amphetamine are very similar illicit drugs, MDMA being a bit more common, likely due to the chemicals needed for clandestine labs to synthesis MDA being harder to source and synthesis requiring more steps. MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy (though purity commonly being very little), E, Molly, Mandy, and more. The less common MDA is often known as Sassafras, Sally, Sass, etc. This overview will focus on the regular Amphetamine molecule and it’s vast uses.

Amphetamine

Summary 

First, I’ll cover the backbone of these drugs, Amphetamine. To start, I’ll cover the most common forms of amphetamine in the US. Possibly the most notorious and common, Adderall, but other forms as well under brand names such as Dexedrine, Vyvanse, Evekeo and more. As discussed, Adderall is a mix of stereoisomers in a 75% d-amp/25% l-amp. Dexedrine, pure d-amp salts, and Vyvanse a newer form marketed by Shire Pharmaceutical after there patent for Adderall ran out, marketed as an “abuse-proof” form of dextroamphetamine. Vyvanse, Lisdexamphetamine, is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine, with a Lysine molecule attached. This makes Vyvanse only active orally. Dosage ranges from 20-70 mg long-acting capsules. Though it may seem like 70 mg is excessive, the general guideline is the milligram dose 2:1 of regular d-amphetamine. So 70 mg is roughly equal to 35 mg instant release amphetamine. Note Adderall doses range from 10-30 mg single pills or capsules. These three forms are the most commonly used medically. Adderall coming in two forms, instant release (IR) and extended release (XR). The XR version is 50% of the dose immediate release, and 2-4 hours later the other half.

Effects

Amphetamine is a Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant. It is used for many purposes, the energy boost, mental and tactile stimulation are sought after for alertness or performance-enhancement in many forms for example. Historically it has been used by military forces, pilots, truckers, and others seeking a boost to keep going longer than natural. The euphoria is usually mild compared to many other drugs. Commonly reported effects include an increase in focus, a boost of energy and motivation, racing thoughts, suppressed appetite, increased body temperature, tachycardia (rapid heart beat), hypertension, vasoconstriction, paranoia, irritability, and insomnia. The isomers of amphetamine differ greatly, the d-isomer is the more centrally-acting part, making up it’s more abusable aspects. Many users prefer just the d-isomer in forms such as Dexedrine. There is also those who prefer forms such as Adderall, due to the l-isomer with the d-isomer. Levo-amph, 25% of Adderall, is more peripherally-acting, causing more physical stimulation and vasoconstriction. It is worth noting that the l-isomer has a longer half-life, causing some users to have a harsher crash as the d-isomer wears off quicker, leaving the often undesirable effects of the l-isomer the lone active part.

Dosage and Duration

Generally in the US, the max FDA recommended for Adderall is 60 mg (though this doesn’t mean more cannot be prescribed by an MD.) The dosage used of amphetamine is dependent on what the user is seeking from the drug. Being a strong stimulant, redosing is common either to stay awake, or seeking a high.

Dosage (Oral)

Light: 15-30 mg

Common: 30-65 mg

Strong: 65-80 mg

Heavy: 80-100+ mg

Duration

Onset: 15-30 minutes

Total: 3-8 Hours

History

Amphetamine was first synthesized in 1887 by Romanian chemist Lazar Edeleanu in Germany. The drug wasn’t a big deal at first, but in 1927 Gordon Elles synthesized it again, and reported some of it’s basic effects. Amphetamine didn’t take off till 1933, when Smith, Kline, and French marketed an inhaler that would later become infamous, known as Benzedrine, as a decongestant. Just 3 years later, Benzedrine Sulfate was marketed for many things including obesity, loss of libido, chronic pain, narcolepsy, and more. Historically, this was around the beginning and rumblings of World War II. The effect of the drug, including methamphetamine, was apparent to both Allied and Axis forces to be useful in combat, and both sides used various forms of the drug extensively. Amphetamine then took off and stuck around, with military surpluses and new marketing uses, not until 1970 was it made a Schedule II drug with the Controlled Substance Act. Even after regulation, amphetamines remain popular and common drugs used for many different purposes. Estimates show that it may be the 2nd most abused illicit drug world-wide, behind cannabis and in competition with opioids and opiates.