Drug Enforcement Administration amphetamines

According to the U.S. Department of Justice s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, laevoamphetamine, and methampheta-mine (MAP) are all referred to as amphetamines because their chemical properties and actions are so similar that even experienced users have difficulty knowing which drug they have taken. Consequently, it doesn t matter what an amphetamine pill or capsule is called. The only difference between amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, for instance, is a few molecules of dextrose, a type of sugar. 

The adverse effects of amphetamine and related sympathomimetic appetite suppressants are well documented. All of these agents are classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as controlled substances (classes II-IV) according to their potential for causing addiction (see Table 15.4). Class II agents such as amphetamine are highly abused, with prescription restricted to speeial circumstances class TV anorectic drugs such as sibutramine, phentermine, di-ethylpropion, and mazindol have minimal abuse potential. 

During the early 1990s, reports of abuse of methylphenidate began to appear. Nonmedical use of the drug for its stimulant effects impelled the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to regulate the manufacture, distribution, and prescription of methylphenidate. Because methylphenidate is related to amphetamine, it can be addictive and result in physical and psychological dependence, see also Neurochemistry Neurotransmitters Pharmaceutical Chemistry. 

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