Amphetamines |
Short-Term Effects: Effects may last from 4-12 hours. Increased alertness, energy, breathing and heart rate, reduced fatigue and appetite, euphoria (feeling of wellbeing). User may become talkative, restless, excited. May feel a sense of power and superiority. May become hostile, aggressive and violent, nervous, or irritable. Personality changes with larger doses. Dilated pupils, dry mouth, fever, sweating, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, depression.
Long-Term Effects: Malnutrition, risk of Hep. B and HIV/AIDS if used IV. Long-term or heavy users may develop amphetamine psychosis, a mental disturbance similar to paranoid schizophrenia. Symptoms usually disappear after a few days to a week after drug use has been stopped. Heavy users may be prone to violent acts.
Withdrawal: Lethargy, fatigue, prolonged but restless sleep, nightmares, irritability, anxiety, severe depression.
Interactions with Other Drugs: Amphetamines may reduce the effects of antihypertensive drugs, major tranquillisers, anti-Parkinsonian drugs. Adversely reacts with some antidepressants. Greatly increases tolerance to alcohol.
Lethality/OD Treatment:
The information contained in this page is designed simply as an introduction to this topic. |