ABSTRACT
The term amphetamine denotes a class of chemicals that share a common structural backbone. Methamphetamine, though it does have some clinical applications, is primarily a drug of abuse. Dextroamphetamine, which generally lacks the intense psychostimulant effect of methamphetamine, is the primary drug used for the treatment of attention deficithyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The most popular of the dextroamphetamines are various amphetamine salts combined together to form Adderall®, used to treat ADHD. Dextroamphetamine abuse is uncommon in the U.S., but still very popular in Europe, though use of methamphetamine is growing there as well. In Europe, methamphetamine is spelled metamfetamine, while dextroamphetamine is spelled dexamfetamine. Methamphetamine and amphetamine share a number of characteristics, both in terms of structure and effect produced. The problems associated with ADHD will be considered separately.
