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SOSTANZE D'ABUSO: AMFETAMINE METAMFETAMINE
 
I DANNI SUL CERVELLO DEI RATTI CHE HANNO ASSUNTO AMFETAMINE SONO PIù ESTESI DI QUANTO RITENUTO IN PRECEDENZA (NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE)

National Institute on Drug Abuse
Research Report Series

Methamphetamine: Abuse and Addiction


How is methamphetamine different
from other stimulants, like cocaine?


Methamphetamine is classified as a psychostimulant as are such other drugs of abuse as amphetamine and cocaine. We know that methamphetamine is structurally similar to amphetamine and the neurotransmitter dopamine, but it is quite different from cocaine. Although these stimulants have similar behavioral and physiological effects, there are some major differences in the basic mechanisms of how they work at the level of the nerve cell. However, the bottom line is that methamphetamine, like cocaine, results in an accumulation of the neurotransmitter dopamine, and this excessive dopamine concentration appears to produce the stimulation and feelings of euphoria experienced by the user. In contrast to cocaine, which is quickly removed and almost completely metabolized in the body, methamphetamine has a much longer duration of action and a larger percentage of the drug remains unchanged in the body. This results in methamphetamine being present in the brain longer, which ultimately leads to prolonged stimulant effects.

 

Although both methamphetamine and cocaine are psychostimulants, there are differences between them.

Methamphetamine

vs.

Cocaine

Man-made

Smoking produces a high that lasts 8-24 hours

50% of the drug is removed from the body in 12 hours

Limited medical use

Plant-derived

Smoking produces a high that lasts 20-30 minutes

50% of the drug is removed from the body in 1 hour

Used as a local anesthetic in some surgical procedures


What are the medical complications
of methamphetamine abuse?


Methamphetamine can cause a variety of cardiovascular problems. These include rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and irreversible, stroke-producing damage to small blood vessels in the brain. Hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) and convulsions occur with methamphetamine overdoses, and if not treated immediately, can result in death.

Chronic methamphetamine abuse can result in inflammation of the heart lining, and among users who inject the drug, damaged blood vessels and skin abscesses. Methamphetamine abusers also can have episodes of violent behavior, paranoia, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia. Heavy users also show progressive social and occupational deterioration. Psychotic symptoms can sometimes persist for months or years after use has ceased.

Acute lead poisoning is another potential risk for methamphetamine abusers. A common method of illegal methamphetamine production uses lead acetate as a reagent. Production errors may therefore result in methamphetamine contaminated with lead. There have been documented cases of acute lead poisoning in intravenous methamphetamine abusers.

Fetal exposure to methamphetamine also is a significant problem in the United States. At present, research indicates that methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy may result in prenatal complications, increased rates of premature delivery, and altered neonatal behavioral patterns, such as abnormal reflexes and extreme irritability. Methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy may be linked also to congenital deformities.

 

Primo Piano

Dipartimento Politiche Antidroga
Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri

- Prevention Strategy and Policy Makers (IT, EN, FRA, ESP, ARAB, RUS)
- Principi generali della posizione italiana contro l’uso di droghe (IT, EN)
- Accordo di collaborazione scientifica Italia-USA (IT, EN)
- Dichiarazione DPA collaborazioni scientifiche internazionali (IT, EN)

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Vocabolari
VOCABOLARI

- Alcohol and drug terms - WHO
- Terminology & information - UNODC

 


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