Amphetamine is a psychotomimetic drug that stimulates the central nervous system. It is commonly used to treat Attention-deficit hyperactive disorder and narcolepsy. The drug has the effects of psycho dependence and cause addiction with long-term use. Some of the street names of the drug are ups, wake-ups, bennies, pep pills, etc. amphetamine urine drug screen is commonly used as a primary testing method for amphetamines.
Abusive properties of amphetamine:
Amphetamine is a strong CNS stimulant that blocks the uptake of dopamine, stimulates the release of monoamines and produces effects of euphoria, accelerated respiration, feelings of pleasure, strength, motivation, decrease appetite, and increased wakefulness.
The effects of amphetamine is similar to that of cocaine, but the effect of amphetamine can last for longer hours when compared to cocaine effects which lasts only for less than an hour. The drug can be taken orally, intra-nasally when it is in powder form, intravenously when dissolved in water, and also can be smoked.
Short-term effects of amphetamine include dry mouth, dilated pupils, suppressed appetite, irregular or increased heart rate, increased respiration, increased talkativeness, enhanced power and strength, paranoia, cardiovascular failures, nausea, palpitations, etc.
When the drug is taken in its high doses than prescribed and the usage of it for a long term will have effects such as difficulty breathing, arrhythmias, ulcers, severe psychosis such as schizophrenia, behavioral disorders, skin disorders, seizures, coma, and even death.
Symptoms of withdrawal of amphetamine are excessive sleeping, anxiety, depression, agitation, and tiredness. The withdrawal symptoms are usually treated with placebo agents. The drugs amineptine and mirtazapine are also used to control the withdrawal symptoms, but they have their own limitations.
Drug testing for amphetamine can be done as a single panel test or it can be done as a part of four panel drug test, 10 panel drug screen or as one of the multiple panel tests.
Medical properties of amphetamine:
Initial use of the amphetamine was as inhalers to relieve nasal congestions, asthma, etc. A research has also showed that the drug can be used to treat migraine, muscular rigidity and spasm, dysmenorrhea, and hypotension. The most common use of the drug is to treat Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, obesity, and Parkinson’s disease.