Structural Biochemistry, Amphetamine

Overview

Amphetamine is an appetite suppressant, which is insoluble in water. After taking amphetamine, the nerves and the brain are stimulated, thus leading to faster heart beats, higher blood pressure, and ultimately resulting in less appetite. This drug is famous for treating narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder, defined by sleeping excessively. ADHD is characterized by inattention, over-activity, or a mixture of both.

Structure of Amphetamine (Image: Vaccinationist, Public domain)

Who cannot take amphetamine?

Pregnant women and mother who provides breast feeding are forbidden to take amphetamine because there might be unexpected drug effects that pass from the mother to the baby, unless they consult with a doctor before hands. People who have the following characteristics should not take amphetamine:

• Heart problem
• High blood pressure
• Arteriosclerosis (arteries hardening caused by accumulating fats in the arteries)
• Hyperthyroidism (excess of thyroid hormone in the thyroid gland)
• Glaucoma (damage of nerves in the eye)

Underdose and Overdose

In the case of underdose, take amphetamine at the next scheduled time if it is evening time because the amphetamine might lead to insomnia if the dose is taken at late night. In the case of overdose, one should immediately seek help from the doctor. The effects of overdose are severe; they include hallucination, nausea, diarrhea, seizure, and many others.

Side Effects

Common side effects of amphetamine are listed below; however, one should notify the doctor about these side effects. If one has severe side effects, then stop taking amphetamine. If one has light side effects, then continue taking amphetamine.

Severe side effects:

• Allergy (especially in the throat, on lips, face, tongue)
• Abnormal heartbeat
• High blood pressure
• Hallucination

Light side effects:

• Anxiety
• Slight headache
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea/constipation
• Impotence

Limitations of amphetamine

Amphetamine might not function properly if one is taking it along with some other drugs or special adjustment to the dosage might be needed if there is another drug that one is taking. Below are some of the drugs that might affect amphetamine:

• Insulin
• Antihypertensive drug
• Drug to treat enlarged prostate
• Antidepressant (especially if it is tricyclic structure)
• Antihistaminic drugs
• Drugs to treat psychotic disorders

Reference

http://www.drugs.com/amphetamine.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov

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