Dexamphetamine sulphate

Amphetamines (speed sulph, sulphate, uppers, wake-ups, billy whizz, whizz, whites, base) are synthetic stimulants which as medicines have been formed into a variety of tablets. Their current medical use is very limited and in fact only dexamphetamine sulphate, Dexedrine, is now available for use solely in the treatment of narcolepsy. The only other amphetamine available for medical use is methylphenidate (Ritalin) for the treatment of attention deficit syndrome in children. As a street drug, amphetamine usually comes as a white, grey, yellowish or pinky powder. The purity rate of street powders is less than 10%, the rest being made up of milder stimulants such as caffeine, other drugs such as paracetamol or substances like glucose, dried baby milk, flour or talcum powder. 

Treatment aimed at short-term cessation of amphetamine use was considered completely unrealistic. After the necessary discussions the substitution prescribing option was initiated, with the harm-reduction objective of at least reducing Peter s injecting and use of street amphetamine. He was given dexamphetamine sulphate liquid 60mg per day, with a plan to reduce gradually over the following months. 

Dexamphetamine sulphate acts by stimulating the release of norepinephrine and dopamine from storage sites and may also slow down the metabolism of catecholamines by inhibiting MAO. Usually about 30% is excreted unchanged in the urine this urinary excretion reaches 60% when the urine is acidic (pH 5.5-6). It is metabolized by cytochrome P450. 

Blang SM, Huang WT. Interaction of dexamphetamine sulphate with dextrates in solution. J Pharm Set 1973 62(4) 652-655. 

Amphetamine sulphate and dexamphetamine sulphate, (C9Hi3N)2, H2SO4, Mol. Wt. 368 5. These are best determined by the following distillation method which is official in the B.P. 

---