Methamphetamine (And Amphetamine) Methamphetamine hydrochloride is a white to light brown crystalline powder, or clear chunky crystals resembling ice. Methamphetamine base is a liquid. 
Synonyms: Methamphetamine: chalk, chrissy, crank, crystal, glass, go, hydro, ice, meth, rock candy, speed, whiz; Desoxyn®; Amphetamine: dextroamphetamine; Dexedrine®, Adderall®, Benzedrine®, DextroStat®, Biphetamine®, Gradumet®. 
Source: The majority of street methamphetamine is produced in clandestine laboratories (e.g. reduction of l-ephedrine or d-pseudoephedrine over red phosphorus with hydroiodic acid, or reduction with sodium or lithium in condensed liquid ammonia). Methamphetamine remains concentrated in western U. S. states and some rural areas elsewhere. d-Methamphetamine is a schedule II controlled substance (Desoxyn®) available in 5 mg white, 10 mg pink, and 15 mg yellow strength tablets. Amphetamine is also a Schedule II controlled substance and is usually supplied as the sulfate salt of the d-isomer (Dexedrine®), or as the racemic mixture (Benzedrine®), or a mixture of the two (Adderall®). Dexedrine® is available in 5, 10, and 15 mg strength, orange/black capsules, or 5 mg tablets. Adderall® is available in 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 20, and 30 mg strength, blue or orange tablets. 
Drug Class: CNS stimulant, sympathomimetic, appetite suppressant.
Medical and Recreational Uses: Medicinally, methamphetamine is used in the treatment of narcolepsy, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Typical doses are 10 mg/day or up to 40 mg daily, and a course of greater than six weeks is not recommended. Methamphetamine is infrequently used in the treatment of obesity, overeating disorders, and weight loss due to its abuse potential. Amphetamine is also used in ADD, narcolepsy, and weight control. Recreationally, methamphetamine is abused to increase alertness, relieve fatigue, control weight, treat mild depression, and for its intense euphoric effects.
Potency, Purity and Dose: Purity of methamphetamine is currently very high, at 60-90%, and is predominantly d-methamphetamine which has greater CNS potency than the l-isomer or the racemic mixture. Common abused doses are 100-1000 mg/day, and up to 5000 mg/day in chronic binge use. Therapeutic doses of Desoxyn® are 2.5-10 mg daily, with dosing not exceed 60 mg/day. To treat narcolepsy, 5-60 mg/day of amphetamine is ingested in divided doses; and in ADD and ADHD doses of 2.5-10 mg/day is administered, depending on age.
Route of Administration: Methamphetamine users often begin with intranasal or oral use and progress to intravenous use, and occasionally smoking. In contrast to cocaine, the hydrochloride salt of methamphetamine can itself be smoked. Methamphetamine is used sometimes with alcohol or marijuana, particularly during the withdrawal phase. 
Pharmacodynamics: Methamphetamine increases synaptic levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine, and has a and b adrenergic agonist effects. Norepinephrine is responsible for methamphetamine’s alerting, anorectic, locomotor and sympathomimetic effects; dopamine stimulates locomotor effects, psychosis, and perception disturbances; and 5HT is responsible for delusions and psychosis. Methamphetamine’s effects are similar to cocaine but its onset is slower and the duration is longer. Racemic amphetamine and d-amphetamine have similar chemical properties and actions to methamphetamine but are less potent. 
Pharmacokinetics: Following oral administration, peak methamphetamine concentrations are seen in 2.6-3.6 hours and the mean elimination half-life is 10.1 hours (range 6.4-15 hours). The amphetamine metabolite peaks at 12 hours. Following intravenous injection, the mean elimination half-life is slightly longer (12.2 hours). Methamphetamine is metabolized to amphetamine (active), p-OH-amphetamine and norephedrine (both inactive). Several other drugs are metabolized to amphetamine and methamphetamine and include benzphetamine, selegeline, and famprofazone. 
Molecular Interactions / Receptor Chemistry: Methamphetamine is metabolized to amphetamine via cytochrome P450 2D6. Potential inhibitors of the 2D6 isoenzyme could decrease the rate of methamphetamine elimination if administered concurrently, while potential inducers could increase the rate of elimination.
Blood to Plasma Concentration Ratio: 0.65 (N=1).
Interpretation of Blood Concentrations: Blood concentrations can generally be used to distinguish therapeutic use from abuse. Concentrations of 0.02-0.05 mg/L are typical for therapeutic use, and up to 0.2 mg/L have been documented. Concentrations greater than this represent abuse. Concentrations do not disclose phase of use. Normal concentrations in recreational use are 0.01 to 2.5 mg/L (median 0.6 mg/L). Concentrations above this range will likely be associated with severe, possibly life threatening, toxicity. There is no evidence for improved performance in any task or test following use of doses greater than 40 mg (or concentrations greater than 0.2 mg/L). 
Peak blood methamphetamine concentrations occur shortly after injection, a few minutes after smoking, and around 3 hours after oral dosing. Peak plasma amphetamine concentrations occur around 10 hours after methamphetamine use.
Interpretation of Urine Test Results: Positive results generally indicate use within 1-4 days but could be up to a week following heavy chronic use. Rate of excretion into the urine is heavily influenced by urinary pH. Between 30-54% of an oral dose is excreted in urine as unchanged methamphetamine and 10-23% as unchanged amphetamine. Following an intravenous dose, 45% is excreted as unchanged parent drug and 7% amphetamine.
Effects: Methamphetamine effects are less intense after oral ingestion than following smoked or intravenous use. Early phase – Psychological: Euphoria, excitation, exhilaration, rapid flight of ideas, increased libido, rapid speech, motor restlessness, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis, insomnia, reduced fatigue or drowsiness, increased alertness, heightened sense of well being, stereotypes behavior, feelings of increased physical strength, and poor impulse control. Early phase – Physiological: Increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, increased respiration rate, elevated temperature, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, dry mouth, abdominal cramps, appetite suppressed, twitching, pallor, dilated pupils, HGN at high doses, faster reaction time, increased strength, and more efficient glucose utilization. Late phase – Psychological: Dysphoria, residual stimulation, restlessness, agitation, nervousness, paranoia, violence, aggression, lack of coordination, pseudo-hallucinations, delusions, psychosis, and drug craving.Late phase – Physiological: Fatigue, sleepiness with sudden starts, itching/picking/scratching, normal heart rate, and normal to small pupils which are reactive to light.
Binge use of methamphetamine can be broken down into the following phases: Rush – (5 minutes) intense euphoria, rapid flight of ideas, sexual stimulation, high energy, obsessive/compulsive activity, thought blending, dilated pupils; Shoulder – 
(1 hour) less intense euphoria, hyperactivity, rapid flight of ideas, obsessive/compulsive activity, thought blending, dilated pupils; Binge use – (1-5 days) the drug is frequently readministered in an attempt to regain or maintain euphoria; Tweaking – (4-24 hours) dysphoria, scattered and disorganized thought, intense craving, paranoia, anxiety and irritability, hypervigilance, auditory and tactile hallucinations, delusions, and normal pupils; Crash – (1-3 days) intense fatigue, uncontrollable sleepiness and catnapping, continuing stimulation, drug craving; Normal – (2-7 days) apparent return to “normalcy” although drug craving may appear; Withdrawal – anergia, anhedonia, waves of intense craving, depression, hypersomnolence, exhaustion, extreme fatigue. 
Side Effect Profile: Light sensitivity, irritability, insomnia, nervousness, headache, tremors, anxiety, suspiciousness, paranoia, aggressiveness, delusions, hallucinations, irrational behavior, and violence. In overdose, symptoms may include hyperthermia, tachycardia, severe hypertension, convulsions, chest pains, stroke, cardiovascular collapse, and possible death. Other common side effects following abuse of amphetamines include viral hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), HIV, septicemia, abscesses, collapsed blood vessels, and malnutrition. Chronic abuse generally produces a psychosis that resembles schizophrenia and is characterized by paranoia, picking at the skin, preoccupation with one’s own thoughts, and auditory and visual hallucinations. Violent and erratic behavior is frequently seen among chronic abusers. Over time, methamphetamine appears to cause reduced levels of dopamine, which can result in symptoms like those of Parkinson’s disease.
Duration of Effects: Onset of effects is rapid following intravenous use and smoking, while effects onset more slowly following oral use. Overall effects typically last 4-8 hours; residual effects can last up to 12 hours. 
Tolerance, Dependence and Withdrawal Effect: Methamphetamine has a high potential for abuse and dependence. Tolerance may develop and users may quickly become addicted and use it with increasing frequency and in increasing doses. Abrupt discontinuation of use can produce extreme fatigue, mental depression, apathy, long periods of sleep, irritability, and disorientation.
Drug Interactions: Phenobarbital, propoxyphene, phenytoin and MAOI’s slow the metabolism of amphetamines and increases their effect on the release of norepinephrine and other monoamines from adrenergic nerve endings. Amphetamines may counteract sedative effects of antihistamines. Methamphetamine may restore ethanol induced impairment in simple repetitive tasks of short duration, however, there is no restoration of ethanol-induced deficits of balance and steadiness. In general, high doses of amphetamines are likely to increase the impairing effects of alcohol. Chlorpromazine and haloperidol block dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, thus inhibiting the central stimulant effects of amphetamines. Amphetamine potentiates the analgesic effect of meperidine.
Performance Effects: Laboratory studies have been limited to much lower doses than those used by methamphetamine abusers. Doses of 10-30 mg methamphetamine have shown to improve reaction time, relief fatigue, improve cognitive function testing, increase subjective feelings of alertness, increase time estimation, and increase euphoria. However, subjects were willing to make more high-risk choices. The majority of laboratory tests were administered 1 hour post dose. Expected performance effects following higher doses may include agitation, inability to focus attention on divided attention tasks, inattention, restlessness, motor excitation, increased reaction time, and time distortion, depressed reflexes, poor balance and coordination, and inability to follow directions.
Effects on Driving: The drug manufacturer states that patients should be informed that methamphetamine and amphetamine may impair the ability to engage in potentially hazardous activities such as driving a motor vehicle. In epidemiology studies drive-off-the-road type accidents, high speed, failing to stop, diminished divided attention, inattentive driving, impatience, and high risk driving have been reported. Significant impairment of driving performance would also be expected during drug withdrawal. In a recent review of 101 driving under the influence cases, where methamphetamine was the only drug detected, blood concentrations ranged from <0.05-2.36 mg/L (mean 0.35 mg/L, median 0.23 mg/L). Driving and driver behaviors included speeding, lane travel, erratic driving, accidents, nervousness, rapid and non-stop speech, unintelligible speech, disorientation, agitation, staggering and awkward movements, irrational or violent behavior, and unconsciousness. Impairment was attributed to distraction, disorientation, motor excitation, hyperactive reflexes, general cognitive impairment, or withdrawal, fatigue and hypersomnolence.
DEC Category: CNS stimulant.
DEC Profile: Horizontal gaze nystagmus not present; vertical gaze nystagmus not present; lack of convergence not present; pupil size dilated; reaction to light slow; pulse rate elevated; blood pressure elevated; body temperature normal to down. Other characteristic indicators may include restlessness, body tremors, talkativeness, exaggerated reflexes, anxiety, and track marks or recent injection sites.

Cognitive Functioning: At lower dose, amphetamines have few effects on cognitive functioning and may result in an enhancement of some psychomotor tasks, but risk-taking increases at higher doses and responses become inappropriate. Drug withdrawal could also lead to the impairment of psychomotor skills required for safe driving.

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Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) MDMA is a white, tan or brown powder. Available primarily in tablet form. 
Synonyms: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; ecstasy, ADAM, candy canes, disco biscuit, doves, E, eckie, essence, hug drug, love drug, M&M, rolls, white doves, X, XTC. 
Source: MDMA is the methylenedioxy derivative of methamphetamine. Starting materials in its illicit manufacture include isosafrole (Leuckart reaction) and safrole (Merck patent). MDMA is most commonly found in tablet forms of various colors, carrying distinctive markings on one side such as a dove, E, yin/yang symbol, Mitsubishi symbol, etc. MDMA is a Schedule I controlled substance. 
Drug Class: Mild CNS stimulant, empathogen, entactogen, mild hallucinogen and psychedelic, appetite suppressant. 
Medical and Recreational Uses: Originally patented as an appetite suppressant and used as a possible adjunct to psychotherapy, there is currently no legitimate medical use in the U. S. MDMA is recreationally used as a party, rave or dance drug for its stimulant, mild hallucinogenic, and empathogenic properties. 
Potency, Purity and Dose: MDMA exists as a racemic mixture, with the S-(+)-enantiomer having greater CNS potency compared to the R-(-)-enantiomer. Potency of street samples is highly variable, and tablets sold as ‘ecstasy’ may in fact contain little or no MDMA, but may contain caffeine, ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), dextromethorphan, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ketamine. Some tablets have been reported to contain LSD or heroin. Typical doses in a series of pills can range between 10–150 mg of MDMA. User surveys report a range of doses between 50-700 mg in a session, with an average of 120 mg. Most common pattern of use is binge consumption at all night rave or dance parties. MDMA is frequently taken with other recreational drugs such as ethanol, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, nitrous oxide, and GHB. 
Route of Administration: Primarily oral administration, although MDMA could conceivably be dissolved and injected, or crushed and snorted. 
Pharmacodynamics: MDMA is a phenylethylamine that has stimulant as well as psychedelic effects. MDMA is related in structure and effects to methamphetamine, however, it has significantly less CNS stimulant properties than methamphetamine. MDMA has a high affinity for 5-HT 2 receptors. Both S- and R- enantiomers of MDMA cause acute depletion of presynaptic serotonin (5-HT), depression of 5-HT synthesis by tryptophan hydroxylase, and retrograde destruction of 5-HT neurons following high doses. MDMA also increases levels of norepinephrine and dopamine. The MDMA metabolite, S-(+)- MDA, elicits more stereotypic behavior and is an even more potent neurotoxin than the parent drug. MDA destroys serotonin-producing neurons which play a direct role in regulating aggression, mood, sexual activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain. 
Pharmacokinetics: MDMA is rapidly absorbed and t he half-life of MDMA is ~ 7 hours, although non-linear pharmacokinetics have been observed due to stereoselective pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers. MDMA is metabolized to MDA which is the only metabolite reported in blood and plasma. S-(+)- MDA accumulates in blood due to stereoselective metabolism of S-(+)-MDMA. MDA is further metabolized to its 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy and 3,4-dihydroxy derivatives (HMA and HHA). Additional MDMA metabolites include 3-hydroxy-4-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA) and 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine (HHMA). These polar hydroxylated metabolites are conjugated prior to their excretion in urine. 
Molecular Interaction / Receptor Chemistry: The majority of MDMA N-demethylation to MDA is via the cytochrome P450 2D6 isoenzyme, with minor contributions by the 1A2 isoform. Potential inhibitors of these isoenzymes could decrease the rate of MDMA elimination if administered concurrently, while potential inducers could increase the rate of elimination. Both extensive and poor MDMA metabolizers have been identified. 
Blood to Plasma Concentration Ratio: Data not available. 
Interpretation of Blood Concentrations: No clear correlation exists between MDMA blood concentrations and effects. MDMA and MDA are the analytes detected in blood, with MDA concentrations typically only 5-10% of the corresponding MDMA concentrations. Higher MDA:MDMA ratios may indicate co-administration of MDA. Plasma concentrations following single oral doses of 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg of MDMA were 0.02-0.08 mg/L, 0.13 mg/L, 0.19-0.21 mg/L, 0.24 mg/L, and 0.44 mg/L, respectively. Peak concentrations of MDMA and MDA are observed at 1.5-2 hours and 4 hours, respectively. 
Interpretation of Urine Test Results: MDMA, MDA, HMMA, HHMA, HMA and HHA are typically found in urine following their hydrolysis. MDA and HMMA concentrations in urine are typically 10-15% of the corresponding MDMA concentrations. 
Effects: 
Psychological: Low to moderate doses (50-200 mg) produce mild intoxication, relaxation, euphoria, an excited calm or peace, feelings of well-being, increase in physical and emotional energy, increased sociability and closeness, heightened sensitivity, increased responsiveness to touch, changes in perception, and empathy. At higher doses, agitation, panic attacks, and illusory or hallucinatory experiences may occur. 
Physiological: Low to moderate doses (50-200 mg) produce mild visual disturbances (blurred or double vision, increased light sensitivity), dilated pupils, dry mouth, sweating, ataxia, muscle tension, and involuntary jaw clenching. 
Side Effect Profile: Impairment of cognitive, perception, and mental associations. Psychological difficulties include confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe anxiety, and paranoia. Subjects may experience fatigue, uncoordinated gait, decreased fine motor skills, attentional dysfunction (difficulty to maintain attention during complex tasks), preoccupation, hyperthermia, tachycardia, hyperthermia, hyponatremia, convulsions, and catatonic stupor. Prolonged cognitive and behavioral effects may occur including poor memory recall, flashbacks, panic attacks, psychosis, and depersonalization due to serotonergic neuron damage and decreased serotonin production as a result of long-term use. 
Duration of Effects: Following oral administration, effects onset in 20-30 minutes and desired effects may last only an hour or more, depending on dose. Other general effects last for approximately 2-3 hours. LSD is sometimes used in combination with MDMA to increase its duration of effects. Residual and unwanted effects are generally gone within 24 hours although confusion, depression and anxiety may last several weeks. 
Tolerance, Dependence and Withdrawal Effect: Drug stacking refers to the ingestion of single doses consecutively as effects begin to wane, similar to cocaine or methamphetamine binges. Such extensive or binge use usually occurs over weekends, and can result in exhaustion, apathy, depression, irritability, insomnia and muscle tension early the next week (often referred to as “terrible Tuesdays”). Tolerance does develop, however, the occurrence of physical and/or psychological dependence is unknown. Persistent neurological deficits may occur, including serotonergic neuron damage which leads to less production of serotonin. 
Drug Interactions: The dopamine D 2 receptor antagonist, haloperidol, attenuates psychological effects of MDMA but has no effect on physiological effects. 
Performance Effects: MDMA can enhance impulsivity and make it difficult for a person to maintain attention during complex tasks (selective attention, divided and sustained attention, and complex attention tasks). Laboratory studies have demonstrated changes in cognitive, perception and mental associations, instability, uncoordinated gait, and poor memory recall. Distortion of perception, thinking, and memory, impaired tracking ability, disorientation to time and place, and slow reactions are also known performance effects. Single oral doses of MDMA causes subjective excitability, anxiety, perceptual changes, and thought disorders 1-3 hours post dose. 
Effects on Driving: In an advanced driving simulator study, subjects were given a mean single dose of 56 mg MDMA. Compared to a sober state, moderate effects on vehicle control, acceptance of higher levels of risk, acute changes in cognitive performance, and impaired information processing ability were observed. In six subjects arrested for driving under the influence, MDMA was the only drug detected at blood concentrations ranging from <0.05-0.58 mg/L. The subjects were cooperative and laid back, and experienced muscle twitching, body tremors, perspiring, dilated pupils, slow reaction to light, and poor performance on field sobriety tests. The following concentrations of MDMA have also been measured in other retrospective studies; serum MDMA concentrations ranging from 0.001-0.514 mg/L (mean 0.076 mg/L) in 18 cases of driving impairment; blood MDMA concentrations ranging from 0.04-0.38 mg/L (mean 0.18±0.14 mg/L; median 0.19 mg/L) in 9 impaired driving cases; blood MDMA concentrations of 0.12, 0.08, and 0.14 mg/L in 3 impaired driving cases; and a blood MDMA concentration of 2.14 mg/L and urine 118.8 mg/L in one driving fatality case. Another study reported the occurrence of speeding, jumping red lights, hallucinations/delusions, and a sense of detachment in five impaired driving cases, however, no MDMA concentrations were mentioned.
DEC Category: Hallucinogen; (with many characteristics similar to a CNS stimulant) 
DEC Profile: Horizontal gaze nystagmus not present; vertical gaze nystagmus not present; lack of convergence not present; pupil size dilated; reaction to light slow; pulse rate elevated; blood pressure normal to elevated; body temperature normal to elevated. Other characteristic indicators may include profuse sweating, muscle twitching, body tremors, and poor performance in field sobriety tests. Subjects are usually described as very cooperative and “laid-back”. Note that elevated blood pressure and body temperature are not always observed. 
Cognitive Functioning: Low to moderate single doses of MDMA can cause acute changes in cognitive performance and impair information processing, which in turn would impair driving ability. Basic vehicle control is only moderately affected, however, subjects may accept higher levels of risk.
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