Amphetamines are stimulant medicines that clinicians may prescribe for conditions such as ADHD or narcolepsy. Use exactly as prescribed; taking someone else’s medicine or using it differently changes the risk.
Health effects and risks
Stimulants can affect sleep, appetite, heart rate, blood pressure, and mood. Nonmedical use or high doses can cause agitation, overheating, abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, or dependence. Do not stop or change prescribed medication without speaking with the prescriber.
Testing and next steps
Drug screens vary by specimen and by the substances listed on a test’s panel. Check the instructions and panel before selecting a test; do not assume every product detects this substance. A home screen is preliminary. For more on specimen types, read Drug Testing Methods; for a preliminary positive result, read Unexpected or Preliminary Positive Results. The Substance Information hub lists the current staging test options.
Sources and support
See the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Commonly Abused Drugs chart for a general overview. For confidential U.S. treatment referrals, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Call 911 for a medical emergency.