Amphetamine
amines (ex: serotonin and norepinephrine)
Alpha-methylphenethylamine
member of the phenethylamine family
Stimulant of the Central Nervous System
Group of synthetic, indirect-acting
sympathomimetic drugs
may be stimulants, entactogens, or
hallucinogens
Prescribed for narcolepsy, obesity, and
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Block uptake of adrenergics and dopamine,
stimulate release of monoamines, inhibit
monoamine oxidase
Pure dextroamphetamine and pure
levoamphetamine
Prescription names: Adderall, Dexedrine,
DextroStat, and Desoxyn
Consumed by ingesting, smoking, or injecting
them into the bloodstream, snorted through
the nose, or by inserting the drug through the
anus
Molecular formula: C9H13N
Molecular weight: 135.21 g/mol
Physical Form
o colorless volatile oil insoluble in water
o amine odor
o Acrid, burning taste
N,-methylphenethylamine
IUPAC Name: 1-phenylpropan-2-amine
o N,-methylbenzeneethanamine
Chiral compound
Two enantiomers:
o []- or l-stereoisomer
o [+]- or d-stereoisomer
Mechanism of action
Amphetamines cause the release of
endogenous biogenic amines (i.e. dopamine
and noradrenaline)
o Biogenic amines- biologically active,
nitrogen-containing, mostly
neurotransmitters
o It increases the activity of the
noradrenaline and dopamine
neurotransmitter systems
Reverses the action of biogenic amine
transporters at the plasma membrane
Are substrates of the biogneic amine
transporters taken up into the cell
1. Amphetamines interfere with VMAT -->
depletes synaptic vesicles of their
neurotransmitter content
2. Levels of dopamine in cytoplasm increases,
causes release into the synapse by reversal of
DAT in plasma membrane
3. Normal vesicular release of dopamine
decreases, non-vesicular release increases
VMAT: Vesicular Monoamine Transporter
DAT: dopamine transporter
Normal vesicular release increases because
synaptic vesicles contain less transmitters
Similar mechanisms apply to other biogenic
Amphetamine is a substrate of DAT,
competitively inhibits DA transport
Once in the cell, it interferes w/ vesicular
monoamine transport (VMAT), impede (slow)
filling of synaptic vesicles
Vesicles are depleted, cytoplasmic DA
(dopamine) increase, leads to reversal of DAT,
increases nonvesicular DA, increased
extracellular DA concentrations
Amphetamine Effects
When someone uses uppers, the drug
stimulates the user's central nervous system.
Works on the brain's dopamine and
norepinephrine neurotransmitter systems
o Production of a very high level of
dopamine which produces the sense of
euphoria and hallucinogenic / psychotic
functions
Commonly known as a "high."
Tolerance development. Drug users need to
take higher doses to get the same effect they
were achieving before, but once the user's
brain gets accustomed to having a certain level
of dopamine, the user will start to experience
cravings for the drug
When mixed with other prescription drugs or
alcohol can have various effects including
enhanced alertness, an increase in energy or
other deadly effects.
There is an increase in mental alertness and
the ability for the user to stay awake, focused
and to concentrate
o treatment of ADD or ADHD - to help
with behavioral disorders, to focus
o treatment of sleep disorders, e.g.
narcolepsy to help the user stay awake
Short Term Effects
o Increased body temperature, Paranoia,
tachycardia, dysrhythmias, increased
blood pressure, decreased appetite,
reduced sleep, agitation, Bruxism
(tooth grinding), dehydration, dilated
pupils, increased activity and
talkativeness, nausea and vomiting,
Increased feelings of power and
greatness
Long Term Effects
o Amphetamine psychosis (Toxic
psychosis that mimics schizophrenia),
Physiological and behavioral disorders,
Failure of the cardiovascular system,
rotting teeth, coma, death,
 malnutrition, mental illness, permanent
damage to the brain, drug dependence
ECSTACY
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
Derivative of amphetamine and a member of
phenethylamine family
Psychotherapy
Foster feelings of intimacy and empathy
without impairing intellectual capacities
club drug = Popular in nightclub or raves
Increases the activity of Dopamine,
Norepinephrine and Serotonin
The tablet can be consumed orally and the
powdered form can be snorted, inhaled or
injected
Major metabolites are 3,4-
methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and O-
demethylated compounds
Molecular formula: C11H15NO2
Molecular weight: 193.2
Physical Form
o White/off-white powder or crystals
o Colorless oil insoluble in water
Mechanism of Action
Facilitates synaptic release
Acts as a weak 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor
agonist
1. Enters neurons via carriage by the monoamine
transporters
2. Once inside, MDMA inhibits the vesicular
monoamine transporter, resulting to increased
concentrations of serotonin, norepinephrine,
and dopamine into the cytoplasm
3. Induces their release by reversing their
respective transporters through a process
known as phosphorylation
MDMA's unusual entactogenic effects have
been hypothesized to be, at least partly, the
result of indirect oxytocin secretion via
activation of the serotonin system. Based on
studies in rats, MDMA causes the release of
oxytocin, at least in part, by both directly and
indirectly agonizing the serotonin 5-HT1A
receptor.
Ecstasy Effects
Desired effects of ecstasy that can begin in as little as
30 minutes and last for up to 6 hours include:
A perceived increase in energy levels
A euphoric state of being
Distorted perception of time
Higher pleasure from and desire for physical
touch
Increased levels of sexuality and sexual arousal
Elevated alertness
Increased energy and focus
Feelings of emotional peace and empathy
Suppression of certain basic physical needs
Side Effects
Nausea, Muscle cramping, Fever
Sweating and chills
Shaking and tremors
Hallucinations
Blurred vision, dehydration
Higher heart rate, Increase in blood pressure
Tension in mouth, face, and jaw
Long Term Effects
Irreparable damage to serotonin
neurotransmitters and to the brain itself
Depression
Anxiety
Insomnia
Memory loss
Overdose
These can occur when the user takes more
than one dose of the substance at a time, or
they take a series of pills over a period to
maintain the desired effects of ecstasy. This
practice is called piggybacking.
High blood pressure
Lightheadedness
Panic attacks
Seizures
Loss of consciousness
Extreme increase in body temperature
Organ damage and complications due to
increased body temperature
Withdrawal
Marked by an offset mood; depression that can
last for weeks and increased aggression