Amphetamines [General Monograph]

This chapter discusses amphetamines. It presents the approved indications of the drug for neuropsychological disorders, usual dosage and administration, available dosage forms, storage, and compatibility, and the mechanism of action. Information on relative contraindications, clinically significant drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and overdosage is also provided. Pharmacotherapy of amphetamines is for the symptomatic management of sleep disorders: narcolepsy. Patients need to be monitored for initial and continued therapeutic response to amphetamine pharmacotherapy as denoted by decreased frequency or severity of signs and symptoms of narcolepsy. The exact mechanism of action of the amphetamines when prescribed for the symptomatic management of narcolepsy is related to their CNS stimulant actions. The amphetamines are readily absorbed following oral ingestion. They are widely distributed in body tissues, with the highest concentrations in the CNS. Urinary excretion is pH dependent.