List Of Amphetamines | Prescriptions, Illegal Drugs, & Abuse Potential

Amphetamines are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They speed up the communication between your brain and body, which boosts your alertness, attention, and energy. 

Some amphetamines are prescribed by doctors to treat various health conditions. Other amphetamines are sold illegally on the street. Both types pose a high risk of abuse and addiction. 

Prescription Amphetamines

Prescription amphetamines are prescription drugs used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy (excessive daytime sleepiness), and obesity.

The most popular prescription amphetamines include:

• Adderall/Adderall XR (a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which are both amphetamine salts)
• Desoxyn (methamphetamine, which is a derivative of amphetamine) 
• Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine)
• Dynavel (amphetamine) 
• Evekeo (amphetamine) 
• ProCentra (dextroamphetamine) 
• Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine, which is a derivative of amphetamine) 
• Zenzedi (dextroamphetamine) 

Other popular prescription stimulants include methylphenidate (which is sold under the brand names Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate, Methylin, and Ritalin) and dexmethylphenidate (which is sold under the brand name Focalin). 

Although these drugs aren’t technically amphetamines, they have similar effects. 

Effects Of Prescription Amphetamines

Common side effects of amphetamines approved for medical use may include:

• increased body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate
• increased confidence
• euphoria (intense joy)
• loss of appetite
• trouble sleeping
• anxiety 

Illegal Amphetamines

Illegal amphetamines are amphetamines that are illegal to make, sell, or use. The most popular illegal amphetamines are methamphetamine and MDMA.

Methamphetamine

As mentioned above, methamphetamine (or “meth”) is sometimes prescribed legally under the brand name Desoxyn. However, some people make and sell illegal meth. 

Illegal meth usually resembles a white powder. It can be snorted, injected, or eaten. It can also be cooked into a shiny rock called “crystal meth,” which is smoked in a glass pipe.  

Because meth causes a rush of euphoria, it’s highly addictive. It can also lead to other serious health problems, including:

• psychosis (a loss of connection with reality characterized by hallucinations and delusions)
• severe dental problems (also called “meth mouth”)
• severe scratching that causes sores and scabs
• liver, kidney, and lung damage
• permanent damage to the brain or heart

MDMA

Like methamphetamine, MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a derivative of amphetamine. Often called “ecstasy” or “molly,” it acts not only as a stimulant drug but also as a hallucinogen. That means it causes hallucinations (distortions in your perception of reality). 

Many people use MDMA at all-night dance parties (also called “raves”). The drug is available as a tablet, capsule, powder, or liquid. Like other stimulants, it increases your body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate. It can also cause extreme dehydration. 

Some drug dealers mix MDMA with other substances and don’t tell the buyer. That means that if you purchase MDMA off the street, you may unknowingly ingest a dangerous substance such as methamphetamine, cocaine, or the deadly opioid fentanyl. 

Amphetamine Abuse Potential

Illegal amphetamines, like MDMA and crystal meth, are classified as Schedule I controlled substances. That means these drugs have no accepted medical value and a high potential for abuse.

Prescription amphetamines, like Adderall, Desoxyn, and Dexedrine, are classified as Schedule II controlled substances. That means these prescription drugs have approved medical use but still have a high potential for abuse.

What Is Amphetamine Abuse? 

Amphetamine abuse occurs when you use an illegal amphetamine in any way. It also occurs when you use a prescription amphetamine in a manner not prescribed by a doctor. For example, you can abuse a prescription amphetamine by:

• taking it without a prescription
• taking it more frequently than prescribed
• taking higher doses than prescribed
• mixing it with other drugs, including cannabis or alcohol

In addition, you can abuse prescription amphetamines by crushing the tablets into a powder, dissolving the powder in water, and injecting the liquid into a vein. You can also smoke or snort the powder. 

Amphetamine Street Names

People who abuse prescription amphetamines likely buy them from the illegal drug market. There, the drugs are sold under street names such as “speed,” “black beauties,” and “bennies.” 

Risks Of Amphetamine Abuse

Whether you abuse a prescription amphetamine or an illegal amphetamine, amphetamine abuse poses serious short-term and long-term health risks, including:

• hyperthermia (dangerously high body temperature)
• seizures
• high blood pressure
• irregular heartbeat
• heart attack
• Stroke

People who abuse amphetamines also face a high risk of overdose and addiction. 

Overdose

When left untreated, an amphetamine overdose can be fatal. That’s why you should seek medical help right away if you or someone you know experiences symptoms of overdose, which include:

• confusion
• restlessness
• shakiness
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• muscle weakness
• stomach cramps

Substance Use Disorder

Like other types of drug abuse, amphetamine abuse often leads to amphetamine addiction. This disease makes you feel unable to control your use of amphetamines. 

The most common signs of amphetamine addiction are tolerance and physical dependence. 

Tolerance means you need increasingly larger or more frequent amounts of amphetamines to feel the desired effects. Physical dependence means your body requires amphetamines to function normally. If you stop taking them, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as:

• fatigue
• depression
• confusion
• irritability
• nightmares

Other signs of amphetamine addiction include:

• mood swings
• loss of motivation 
• loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• avoidance of friends and family
• visiting multiple doctors to get multiple prescriptions of amphetamines (also called “doctor shopping”)

If you or someone you love struggles with amphetamine use or another type of drug use, please contact an Ark Behavioral Health specialist. We offer medical detox, mental health counseling, and a variety of other substance abuse treatment options.