Amphetamine: uses, side effects and safety
Amphetamine (Adderall) is a cns stimulant; non-catecholamine sympathomimetic amine (mixed amphetamine salts). It is a US Schedule II controlled substance. It is prescription only (rx) and remains on the US market.
What is Amphetamine?
Amphetamine is the generic name for Adderall, and belongs to the CNS stimulant; non-catecholamine sympathomimetic amine (mixed amphetamine salts) class.
| Generic name | amphetamine (mixed salts of a single entity: dextroamphetamine sulfate, amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate; 3:1 d:l ratio) |
|---|---|
| Brand name(s) | Adderall |
| Drug class | CNS stimulant; non-catecholamine sympathomimetic amine (mixed amphetamine salts) |
| US legal status | US Schedule II · Prescription only (Rx) |
| Route | Oral |
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Elimination half-life | d-amphetamine 9.77-11 hours; l-amphetamine 11.5-13.8 hours |
| Time to peak concentration | 3 |
| Metabolism | CYP2D6 is known to be involved with formation of 4-hydroxy-amphetamine. Label states the enzymes involved in amphetamine metabolism have not been clearly defined. Amphetamine inhibits monoamine oxidase; metabolites cause minor in vitro inhibition of CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. |
What is Amphetamine used for?
Amphetamine is approved by the FDA for the following uses. Approval is granted per indication, and a specific product may not be approved for all of them.
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Narcolepsy
How does Amphetamine work?
Non-catecholamine sympathomimetic amine with CNS stimulant activity. Label states the mode of therapeutic action in ADHD is not known; amphetamines are thought to block reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into the presynaptic neuron and increase release of these monoamines into the extraneuronal space..
It is metabolised primarily by CYP2D6 is known to be involved with formation of 4-hydroxy-amphetamine. Label states the enzymes involved in amphetamine metabolism have not been clearly defined. Amphetamine inhibits monoamine oxidase; metabolites cause minor in vitro inhibition of CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4..
The elimination half-life is roughly d-amphetamine 9.77-11 hours; l-amphetamine 11.5-13.8 hours. Longer half-lives mean the drug and its active metabolites persist in the body for longer after the last dose.
Common side effects of Amphetamine
These are the side effects people report most often. Many diminish after the body adjusts, usually within one to two weeks.
- Dry mouth / unpleasant taste
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Anorexia and weight loss
- Insomnia
- Nervousness
- Headache
- Blurred vision and mydriasis
- Restlessness, irritability, tremor
What does Amphetamine interact with?
Interactions matter because two safe medicines can become dangerous together. The entries below are the ones most likely to cause harm.
- MAOIs: contraindicated during or within 14 days of MAOI use - risk of hypertensive crisis
- CYP2D6 inhibitors: may increase Adderall exposure and serotonin syndrome risk
- Other serotonergic drugs, including St. John's wort
Use our drug interaction checker before combining any two prescriptions.
Serious side effects and warning signs
Seek emergency care for any of these
- Sudden death and myocardial infarction
- Hypertension, tachycardia, palpitations; isolated reports of cardiomyopathy with chronic amphetamine use
- Psychotic episodes at recommended doses
- Serotonin syndrome, particularly with MAOIs or CYP2D6 inhibitors
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Angioedema and anaphylaxis
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Slowing of growth rate and weight loss in pediatric patients
Suspected overdose or a bad reaction should be reported to Poison Control on 1-800-222-1222. That is staffed around the clock and is free.
Legal status of Amphetamine
Amphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States. That placement is set out in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1308, and enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It carries restrictions on prescribing, storage, record-keeping and transfer.
Statutory reference: 21 CFR 1308.12(d)(1) - Amphetamine, its salts, optical isomers, and salts of its optical isomers (DEA code 1100).
Important note
Onset not stated on the label or on MedlinePlus; null. Peak plasma concentration approximately 3 hours post-dose for both d- and l-amphetamine (label 12.2, single 10 mg or 30 mg dose, fasted). Label section 6 lists adverse reactions qualitatively and does not provide a numeric incidence table, so commonSideEffects are taken from the qualitative label list. FDA approved this application 1960-01-19 under NDA011522 (historical record); the current Adderall IR label is a Teva label dated 2024-06-18.
Can you get Amphetamine without a prescription?
Short answer: no. Amphetamine is a prescription medication. Sites advertising it without one are either operating illegally or selling something other than what they claim. We explain the legal routes, the counterfeit problem and how to check a source in detail.
Read the full answer: Amphetamine without a prescription →
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What is Amphetamine used for?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Narcolepsy
What schedule is Amphetamine in the United States?
Amphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance in the US, listed at 21 CFR Part 1308. Schedule II means the drug has a defined potential for abuse and is subject to federal record-keeping, storage and prescribing restrictions.
What are the common side effects of Amphetamine?
The most frequently reported side effects are dry mouth / unpleasant taste, diarrhea, constipation, anorexia and weight loss, insomnia, nervousness. Many lessen over the first week or two of treatment.
What should not be combined with Amphetamine?
The most clinically important interactions are with maois: contraindicated during or within 14 days of maoi use - risk of hypertensive crisis, cyp2d6 inhibitors: may increase adderall exposure and serotonin syndrome risk, other serotonergic drugs, including st. john's wort. Always give a pharmacist or prescriber a complete list of everything you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
Sources & references
Important
This site provides educational information only and does not sell, prescribe or dispense medications. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider. This page is not medical advice.