Amphetamine
methamphetamine
Synonyms | The most common synonyms are:
Other street names include: 222, Amp, C.R., Gak, Geek, Geet, Go, Go Fast, Jib, Ladies Speed, Mye, P2P, Pink Glass, Poor Man's Coke, Prope Dope, Red Rock, Tweak, Zip, Peanut butter, Peanut, Hawaiian salt, High speed chicken feed, Koolaid, Kryptonite, Rock candy, Sketch, Soiks, Spooch, Stove top. |
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Classification | Stimulant:
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Visual description |
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Mechanism of action |
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Routes of administration |
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Effects sought out by the user
- Decreased fatigue and drowsiness
- Euphoria
- Hallucinations
- Heightened alertness and awareness
- Hyperexcitability
- Reduced appetite (weight loss)
- Sense of well-being
Common toxic effects
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Delusions
- Digestive disorders
- Dilated pupils
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth and unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Increased respiratory rate
- Increased temperature
- Insomnia
- Paranoia (can last a few days to a few weeks)
- Reduced appetite
- Stomach cramps
- Sweating
- Teeth grinding
- Tremors
Severe toxic or overdose effects
- Abnormal increase in body temperature
- Acute renal impairment
- Agitation and violent behaviour
- Arrhythmias
- Cardiovascular stress (increased heart rate and blood pressure)
- Chest pain
- Coma
- Convulsions
- Death (often caused by cardiac arrest, stroke or hyperthermia)
- Heart attack and hypertensive crisis
- Stroke
Effects associated with chronic use
- Behaviour similar to paranoid schizophrenia: visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur and delusions of persecution, hostility and violence
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Compulsive scratching (feeling that there are bugs under the skin)
- Memory and mobility problems
- Meth mouth: tooth decay, gingivitis, loss of teeth
- Psychosis
- Significant weight loss
- Skin sores (acne, tooth and gum erosion)
Tolerance (need to increase the dose to feel the same effect)
Yes (quick). Tolerance to its euphoric effects develop more quickly than tolerance to the appetite suppression.
Addiction
Yes (considerable psychological dependence develops very quickly - in as few as one to two doses). The risk of addiction is ten times greater when the drug is snorted or injected.
Withdrawal
The most difficult period during withdrawal usually lasts between 1 and 3 days and causes cravings, extreme fatigue, exhaustion, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, sleep disturbances (prolonged but disrupted sleep), irritability, intense hunger, dysphoria and anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure).
Route of administration | Onset of action | Peak | Duration of action |
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Methamphetamine | |||
Smoked | 0 to 2 minutes | Between 1 and 2.25 hours | 4 to 8 hours |
IV | 0 to 2 minutes | 4 to 8 hours | |
Oral | 30 to 40 minutes | At least 3 hours after ingestion | 4 to 8 hours |
Snorted | 5 to 10 minutes | About 4 hours | 4 to 8 hours |
Amphetamine | |||
Oral | About 4 hours after ingestion |
Screening
- Blood: can be detected in blood 1 to 3 days after use.
- Hair: if hair is 2.75 cm or longer, it can be detected for up to 90 days. If hair is shorter, detection is less than 90 days.
- Urine: can be detected in urine 3 to 6 days after use.
Intoxication management
- No antidote available.
- Treatment is mainly symptomatic. Activated charcoal may be administered if the ingestion is recent (only if taken orally). Do not induce vomiting due to the high risk of convulsions.
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The patient information leaflets are provided by Vigilance Santé Inc. This content is for information purposes only and does not in any manner whatsoever replace the opinion or advice of your health care professional. Always consult a health care professional before making a decision about your medication or treatment.