Potions

Methamphetamine

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"Meth" redirects here. For other uses, see Meth (disambiguation). "Hiropon" redirects here. For the sculpture, see Hiropon (sculpture).
Methamphetamine

Clinical data
Pronunciation
/ˌmɛθæmˈfɛtəmiːn/
(METH-am-FET-ə-meen), /ˌmɛθəmˈfɛtəmiːn/
(METH-əm-FET-ə-meen), /ˌmɛθəmˈfɛtəmən/
(METH-əm-FET-ə-mən)
Trade names
Desoxyn, Methedrine
Other names
N-methylamphetamine, N,α-dimethylphenethylamine, desoxyephedrine
AHFS/Drugs.com
Monograph
License data
US FDA: Methamphetamine
Dependence
liability
Physical: None; Psychological: High
Addiction
liability
High
Routes of
administration
Medical: oral (ingestion)
Recreational: oral, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, vapour inhalation, insufflation, rectal, vaginal
ATC code
N06BA03 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status
AU: S8 (Controlled drug)
BR: Class A3 (Psychoactive drugs)
CA: Schedule I
DE: Anlage II (Authorized trade only, not prescriptible)
NZ: Class A
UK: Class A
US: Schedule II
UN: Psychotropic Schedule II
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability
Oral: 67%
Intranasal: 79%
Inhalation: 67–90%
Intravenous: 100%
Protein binding
Varies widely
Metabolism
CYP2D6 and FMO3
Onset of action
Oral: 3 hours (peak)
Intranasal: <15 minutes
Inhalation: <18 minutes
Intravenous: <15 minutes
Elimination half-life
9–12 hours (range 5–30 hours) (irrespective of route)
Duration of action
8–12 hours
Excretion
Primarily kidney
Identifiers
show
IUPAC name
CAS Number
537-46-2
(dl)-Methamphetamine hydrochloride: 300-42-5
PubChem CID
1206
IUPHAR/BPS
4803
DrugBank
DB01577
ChemSpider
1169
UNII
44RAL3456C
(dl)-Methamphetamine hydrochloride: 24GNZ56D62
KEGG
D08187
ChEBI
CHEBI:6809
ChEMBL
ChEMBL1201201
PDB ligand
B40 (PDBe, RCSB PDB)
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
DTXSID8037128
ECHA InfoCard
100.007.882
Chemical and physical data
Formula
C10H15N
Molar mass
149.237 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
Interactive image
Chirality
Racemic mixture
Melting point
170 °C (338 °F)
Boiling point
212 °C (414 °F) at 760 mmHg
show
SMILES
show
InChI

Methamphetamine (contracted from N-methylamphetamine) is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is mainly used as a recreational drug and less commonly as a second-line treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity. Methamphetamine was discovered in 1893 and exists as two enantiomers: levo-methamphetamine and dextro-methamphetamine. Methamphetamine properly refers to a specific chemical substance, the racemic free base, which is an equal mixture of levomethamphetamine and dextromethamphetamine in their pure amine forms. It is rarely prescribed over concerns involving human neurotoxicity and potential for recreational use as an aphrodisiac and euphoriant, among other concerns, as well as the availability of safer substitute drugs with comparable treatment efficacy such as Adderall and Vyvanse. Dextroamphetamine is a stronger CNS stimulant than levomethamphetamine.
Both racemic methamphetamine and dextromethamphetamine are illicitly trafficked and sold owing to their potential for recreational use. The highest prevalence of illegal methamphetamine use occurs in parts of Asia and Oceania, and in the United States, where racemic methamphetamine and dextromethamphetamine are classified as schedule II controlled substances. Levomethamphetamine is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug for use as an inhaled nasal decongestant in the United States. Internationally, the production, distribution, sale, and possession of methamphetamine is restricted or banned in many countries, owing to its placement in schedule II of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances treaty. While dextromethamphetamine is a more potent drug, racemic methamphetamine is illicitly produced more often, owing to the relative ease of synthesis and regulatory limits of chemical precursor availability.
In low to moderate doses, methamphetamine can elevate mood, increase alertness, concentration and energy in fatigued individuals, reduce appetite, and promote weight loss. At very high doses, it can induce psychosis, breakdown of skeletal muscle, seizures and bleeding in the brain. Chronic high-dose use can precipitate unpredictable and rapid mood swings, stimulant psychosis (e.g., paranoia, hallucinations, delirium, and delusions) and violent behavior. Recreationally, methamphetamine's ability to increase energy has been reported to lift mood and increase sexual desire to such an extent that users are able to engage in sexual activity continuously for several days while binging the drug. Methamphetamine is known to possess a high addiction liability (i.e., a high likelihood that long-term or high dose use will lead to compulsive drug use) and high dependence liability (i.e. a high likelihood that withdrawal symptoms will occur when methamphetamine use ceases). Withdrawal from methamphetamine after heavy use may lead to a post-acute-withdrawal syndrome, which can persist for months beyond the typical withdrawal period. Methamphetamine is neurotoxic to human midbrain dopaminergic neurons at high doses. Methamphetamine has been shown to have a higher affinity and, as a result, higher toxicity toward serotonergic neurons than amphetamine. Methamphetamine neurotoxicity causes adverse changes in brain structure and function, such as reductions in grey matter volume in several brain regions, as well as adverse changes in markers of metabolic integrity.
Methamphetamine belongs to the substituted phenethylamine and substituted amphetamine chemical classes. It is related to the other dimethylphenethylamines as a positional isomer of these compounds, which share the common chemical formula C10H15N.
Uses
Medical

Desoxyn (Methamphetamine Hydrochloride) 100 tablets
In the United States, methamphetamine hydrochloride, under the trade name Desoxyn, has been approved by the FDA for treating ADHD and obesity in both adults and children; however, the FDA also indicates that the limited therapeutic usefulness of methamphetamine should be weighed against the inherent risks associated with its use. Methamphetamine is sometimes prescribed off label for narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. In the United States, methamphetamine's levorotary form is available in some over-the-counter (OTC) nasal decongestant products.
As methamphetamine is associated with a high potential for misuse, the drug is regulated under the Controlled Substances Act and is listed under Schedule II in the United States. Methamphetamine hydrochloride dispensed in the United States is required to include a boxed warning regarding its potential for recreational misuse and addiction liability.
Desoxyn and Desoxyn Gradumet are both pharmaceutical forms of the drug. The latter is no longer produced and is a gradual-release form of the drug, flattening the curve of the effect of the drug while extending it.
Recreational
See also: Party and play and the Recreational routes of methamphetamine administration
Methamphetamine is often used recreationally for its effects as a potent euphoriant and stimulant as well as aphrodisiac qualities.
According to a National Geographic TV documentary on methamphetamine, an entire subculture known as party and play is based around sexual activity and methamphetamine use. Participants in this subculture, which consists almost entirely of homosexual male methamphetamine users, will typically meet up through internet dating sites and have sex. Because of its strong stimulant and aphrodisiac effects and inhibitory effect on ejaculation, with repeated use, these sexual encounters will sometimes occur continuously for several days on end. The crash following the use of methamphetamine in this manner is very often severe, with marked hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness). The party and play subculture is prevalent in major US cities such as San Francisco and New York City.

Desoxyn tablets – pharmaceutical methamphetamine hydrochloride

Crystal meth – illicit methamphetamine hydrochloride
Contraindications