Methamphetamine

Aka: Methamphetamine, Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, Methamphetamine Overdose, Methamphetamine Intoxication, Methamphetamine Dependence, Methamphetamine Abuse, Yaba, Crystal Meth, Desoxyn

advertisement

II. Definition

  1. Stimulant drug of abuse similar to Cocaine
  2. Manufactured from Pseudoephedrine

III. Preparations

  1. Methamphetamine
    1. Street Names: Speed, Meth, Chalk
    2. Desoxyn (Methamphetamine)
      1. FDA approved for ADHD and Obesity
      2. Risk of diversion and misuse (crushed and snorted or injected)
  2. Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (crystalline)
    1. High potency agent that is typically smoked
    2. Street Names: Crystal Meth, Glass, Ice, Crank
    3. Crystal Meth is clear, white or yellow and larger in size
    4. Ice is clear, similar to crushed ice chunks
    5. Crank is white powder (snorted or dissolved in water/Alcohol and injected)
    6. Booty bumping is meth placed in Rectum for rapid absorption
    7. Love Rocket is meth placed in vagina for rapid absorption
  3. Yaba (Methamphetamine and Caffeine)
    1. More common in southeast Asia, but growing use in the U.S.
    2. Brightly colored tablets that are swallowed

IV. Epidemiology

  1. Prevalence: 2.8% of U.S. adults 18 to 26 years of age
    1. More common in those living in Western United States
    2. Iritani (2007) Addiction 102:1102-13 [PubMed]
  2. Ethnicity
    1. Most Methamphetamine users are white (0.7% of white population)
    2. Pacific islanders (e.g. Hawaii) and Native Americans (2.2 to 1.7% of these populations)
  3. Other populations with higher use percentages of Methamphetamine Abuse
    1. Homosexual men

V. Effects

  1. Stimulant agent similar to Cocaine
    1. Sympathomimetic amine stimulates a1 and B1 post-synaptic receptors
    2. Inhibits presynaptic reuptake of Norepinephrine, Dopamine and Serotonin
  2. Used orally, intranasally, intravenously (dissolved in water or Alcohol), smoked or inserted rectally
    1. Rapid effects ("rush" or "flash") with injection or when smoked
    2. Multiple doses are often used to sustain the otherwise transient effects
      1. Results in binge-crash pattern of use
  3. Effect: Initial
    1. Immediate rush-Sensation that lasts for minutes (limited to smoked or IV forms)
    2. Euphoria
    3. Hightened alertness
    4. Increased energy
    5. Increased libido (and associated high risk sexual behavior)
    6. Diminshed appetite
  4. Effect: Later as drug wears off
    1. Prolonged sleep or sedation
    2. Dysphoria
  5. Contaminants
    1. Methamphetamine is frequently contaminated with other agents (e.g. Fentanyl)

VI. Pharmacokinetics

  1. Half-Life: 10-12 hours
  2. Rapid oral absorption
  3. Metabolized by liver via Cytochrome P2D6 system
  4. Much longer duration of action than Cocaine
  5. Lethal dose as low as 1.5 mg/kg orally in some cases

VII. Pathophysiology

  1. High potential for abuse and dependence
  2. Enhances mood via stimulation of Dopamine release
  3. Nerve terminals recede in response to Methamphetamine
    1. Affects Dopamine and Serotonin nerve endings
    2. Effects may be permanent
      1. Imaging shows prolonged brain structural and functional changes long after cessation

VIII. Adverse Effects: Acute

  1. Most related deaths occur from homicides, Suicides and accidents following use
  2. Similar to other adrenergic agents (e.g. Amphetamine)
    1. See Sympathomimetic Toxicity
    2. Tachycardia
    3. Hypertension
    4. Hyperthermia
    5. Tachypnea
    6. Serotonin Syndrome
  3. Agitated Delirium
    1. Agitation
    2. Psychosis
    3. Rhabdomyolysis
  4. Other vascular and neurologic effects
    1. Arrythmias
    2. Cerebrovascular Accident
    3. Myocardial Infarction
    4. Seizure

IX. Adverse Effects: Chronic

  1. Stimulant Use Disorder
  2. Irreversible Neuronal destruction
    1. Memory Loss
    2. Learning Impairment
    3. Motor slowing
  3. Psychiatric Changes
    1. Worsening Mood Disorders
      1. Anxiety Disorder
      2. Depression with increased Suicidal Ideation
    2. Psychosis (esp. paranoia, Delusions, Hallucinations)
      1. Associated with doses >50 mg in adults
    3. Violent Behavior
  4. Premature aging effect
  5. Chronic Malnutrition and associated Anorexia, weight loss
  6. Skin Abscesses (related to skin-picking behaviors)
  7. Severe Tooth Decay ("meth mouth")
    1. Untreated Tooth Decay in more than half of Methamphetamine users
  8. Cardiomyopathy
    1. Presents with severely reduced ejection fraction (mean 19%) with global hypokinesis in a young patient
    2. Results from Catecholamine related systemic effects, as well as Methamphetamine direct toxic effects
    3. Ejection fraction may return to normal after Methamphetamine cessation and maintained sobriety
    4. Voskoboinik (2016) Intern Med J 46(6): 723-7 +PMID:26929061 [PubMed]
  9. Mortality
    1. Methamphetamine related deaths have increased five fold between 2011 and 2018
      1. Han (2021) JAMA Psychiatry 78(5):564-7 [PubMed]

X. Adverse Effects: Pregnancy

  1. Placental Abruption
  2. Fetus
    1. Intrauterine Growth Retardation
    2. Prematurity
    3. Cleft Lip and Palate
    4. Heart defects
  3. Newborn withdrawal
    1. Abnormal sleep or food intake
    2. Tremors
  4. Infant
    1. Methamphetamine is secreted in Breast Milk

XI. Labs

  1. See Sympathomimetic Toxicity
  2. See Unknown Ingestion for toxicology labs
  3. Comprehensive metabolic panel
  4. Serum Lactic Acid
  5. Venous Blood Gas
  6. Creatinine phosphokinase
  7. Drug Screening
    1. Urine Drug Screen positive for 48 hours after use
    2. Hair analysis detects Methamphetamines
    3. Meconium testing is preferred for Newborn Screening
      1. Positive for Methamphetamine use in the second half of pregnancy

XII. Differential Diagnosis

  1. Heat Stroke
  2. Thyrotoxicosis (Hyperthyroidism)
  3. Pheochromocytoma
  4. Serotonin Syndrome
  5. Drug Overdose
    1. Other Sympathomimetic Toxicity (e.g. Cocaine, bath salts)
    2. TheophyllinePoisoning
    3. Salicylate Poisoning
      1. Metabolic Acidosis with Anion Gap
    4. Anticholinergic Poisoning
      1. Anhidrosis (dry) as opposed to diaphoresis in SympathomimeticPoisoning

XIII. Management: Acute Toxicity

  1. See Unknown Ingestion for general approach including labs
  2. See Sympathomimetic Toxicity
    1. Approach for Sympathomimetics is similar for most Sympathomimetic agents
  3. Gastric Decontamination (not indicated unless early presentation after ingestion, or body packing accident)
    1. Consider Gastric Lavage with Activated Charcoal if Methamphetamine was ingested immediately prior to presentation
  4. Sedation
    1. See Agitated Delirium
    2. Benzodiazepines are preferred first line (repeat every 10 minutes as needed)
      1. Lorazepam 4 mg IV
      2. Diazepam 5-10 mg IV
    3. Although Antipsychotics may be considered (e.g. Zyprexa, Haloperidol), risk of QTc Prolongation and hyperthermia
      1. Haloperidol 0.025 to 0.05 mg/kg up to 10 mg IM/IV and may repeat in 15-30 minutes
  5. Hypertensive Crisis
    1. Consider Nitroprusside or Phentolamine for Refractory Hypertension
  6. Hyperthermia
    1. Aggressive Cooling
    2. Benzodiazepines
    3. RSI and Endotracheal Intubation

XIV. Management: Chemical Dependency Treatment

  1. Chemical Dependency Program (e.g. Matrix Model)
  2. Contingency management program with rewards for patients with negative Urine Drug Screens
  3. Medications which may offer benefit
    1. Fluoxetine may reduce short-term cravings
    2. Imipramine improves compliance with therapy
    3. Mirtazipine (Remeron) may decrease use
    4. Bupropion with mixed results
  4. References
    1. Cretzmeyer (2003) J Subst Abuse Treat 24: 267-77 [PubMed]
    2. Colfax (2011) Arch Gen Psychiatry 68(11):1168-75 [PubMed]
    3. Elkashef (2008) Neuropsychopharmacology 33(5): 1162-70 [PubMed]

XV. Associated Conditions (related to demographics of Methamphetamine use)

  1. See Intravenous Drug Abuse
  2. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV Infection)
  3. Hepatitis C Infection
  4. Criminality
  5. Hazardous environment
    1. Methamphetamine produces 6 pounds of toxic waste for every 1 pound of drug
    2. Methamphetamine lab explosions are not uncommon

XVI. Complications: Class effect of stimulant Drugs of Abuse

  1. See Sympathomimetic Toxicity
  2. See chronic adverse effects listed above

XVII. Resources

  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse: Methamphetamine
    1. http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/methamphetamine.html

XVIII. References

  1. Moore, Behar, Claudius and Farrah in Herbert (2018) EM:Rap 18(5):11-2
  2. Boyer and Hernon in Traub and Burns (2015) Methamphetamine Intoxication, UpToDate, accessed 1/10/2017
  3. Tomaszewski (2021) Crit Dec Emerg Med 35(11): 28
  4. (2004) Med Lett Drugs Ther 46:62-3 [PubMed]
  5. Klega (2018) Am Fam Physician 98(2): 85-92 [PubMed]
  6. Winslow (2007) Am Fam Physician 76(8):1169-76 [PubMed]

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

These images are a random sampling from a Bing search on the term "Methamphetamine." Click on the image (or right click) to open the source website in a new browser window. Search Bing for all related images

Related Studies

Ontology: Methamphetamine (C0025611)

Definition (MEDLINEPLUS)

Methamphetamine - meth for short - is a very addictive stimulant drug. It is a powder that can be made into a pill or a shiny rock (called a crystal). The powder can be eaten or snorted up the nose. It can also be mixed with liquid and injected into your body with a needle. Crystal meth is smoked in a small glass pipe.

Meth at first causes a rush of good feelings, but then users feel edgy, overly excited, angry, or afraid. Meth use can quickly lead to addiction. It causes medical problems including

  • Making your body temperature so high that you pass out
  • Severe itching
  • "Meth mouth" - broken teeth and dry mouth
  • Thinking and emotional problems

NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Definition (NCI) An amphetamine with central nervous system (CNS) stimulating activity. Methamphetamine acts by both facilitating the release of catecholamines, particularly noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin, from nerve terminals in the brain and by inhibiting their uptake. This leads to an increase in synaptic concentration of these neurotransmitters and results in increased stimulation of postsynaptic receptors.
Definition (MSH) A central nervous system stimulant and sympathomimetic with actions and uses similar to DEXTROAMPHETAMINE. The smokable form is a drug of abuse and is referred to as crank, crystal, crystal meth, ice, and speed.
Definition (CSP) sympathomimetic amine closely related chemically to both amphetamine and ephedrine, with actions similar to those of amphetamine; abuse may lead to dependence.
Concepts Hazardous or Poisonous Substance (T131) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D008694
SnomedCT 387499002, 27546002, 8692006
LNC LP16194-0, LP32102-3, MTHU005018, LA15259-7
English Deoxyephedrine, Desoxyephedrine, Methamphetamine, Methylamphetamine, N-Methylamphetamine, N Methylamphetamine, methamphetamine, Benzeneethanamine, N,alpha-dimethyl-, (S)-, Metamfetamine, deoxyephedrine, decongestants desoxyephedrine, desoxyephedrine (medication), methamphetamine preparations, anorexics amphetamines methamphetamine preparations, desoxyephedrine, methamphetamine preparations (medication), Methamphetamine [Chemical/Ingredient], crank, meth, methylamphetamine, cranks, ice, ice [methamphetamine], Speed, Tina, Ice, Glass, Crystal, Chalk, Meth, metamfetamine, Desoxyephedrine (substance), METHAMPHETAMINE, Methamphetamine (product), Methamphetamine (substance)
Swedish Metamfetamin
Czech methamfetamin, chlormethamfetamin, metamfetamin, pervitin
Spanish desoxiefedrina, desoxiefedrina (sustancia), metanfetamina (producto), metanfetamina (sustancia), metanfetamina, Desoxiefedrina, Metanfetamina
Finnish Metamfetamiini
Russian METAMFETAMIN, KHLORMETAMFETAMIN, DEZOKSIEFEDRIN, PERVITIN, ПЕРВИТИН, ДЕЗОКСИЭФЕДРИН, МЕТАМФЕТАМИН, ХЛОРМЕТАМФЕТАМИН
Japanese メタンフェタミン, メチルプロパミン, ヒロポン, メタンフェタミン塩酸塩, デオキシエフェドリン, ノロジン, 塩酸メタンフェタミン
French Méthamphétamine, Métamfétamine
Polish Metamfetamina
German Desoxyephedrin, Methamphetamin
Italian Metamfetamina
Portuguese Desoxiefedrina, Metanfetamina
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Ontology: Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (C0282233)

Definition (NCI) The hydrochloride salt form of methamphetamine, an amphetamine and sympathomimetic amine with CNS stimulating properties. Methamphetamine hydrochloride acts by facilitating the release of catecholamines, particularly noradrenaline and dopamine, from nerve terminals in the brain and inhibits their uptake. This leads to an increase in synaptic concentration of these neurotransmitters and results in an increase of motor activity, causes euphoria, mental alertness and excitement and suppresses appetite. Methamphetamine hydrochloride causes dependence and may cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
Concepts Hazardous or Poisonous Substance (T131) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D008694
SnomedCT 58916006, 387329009
English Hydrochloride, Methamphetamine, Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, d-N-Methyl-beta-phenylisopropylamine Hydrochloride, Benzeneethanamine, N,alpha-dimethyl-, Hydrochloride(9CI), N,alpha-Dimethylphenethylamine Hydrochloride, N-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine, anorexics amphetamines methamphetamine hydrochloride, methamphetamine hydrochloride (medication), methamphetamine hydrochloride, METHAMPHETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE, Methamphetamine Hydrochloride [Chemical/Ingredient], Metamfetamine hydrochloride, Methamphetamine hydrochloride (product), methamphetamine HCl, Desoxyephedrine hydrochloride, Methamphetamine hydrochloride, Methamphetamine hydrochloride (substance)
French Chlorhydrate de métamfétamine, Chlorhydrate de métamphétamine
Czech methamfetamin-hydrochlorid, metamfetaminhydrochlorid, metamfetamin hydrochlorid
Spanish clorhidrato de metanfetamina (producto), clorhidrato de desoxiefedrina, clorhidrato de metanfetamina (sustancia), clorhidrato de metanfetamina
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Ontology: Desoxyn (C0728809)

Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D008694
English desoxyn, Desoxyn, Abbott Brand of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride
Czech Desoxyn
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Ontology: Methamphetamine abuse (C1456624)

Concepts Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction (T048)
SnomedCT 699449003
English methamphetamine abuse (diagnosis), methamphetamine abuse, Methamphetamine abuse (disorder), Methamphetamine abuse
Spanish abuso de metanfetamina, abuso de metanfetamina (trastorno)
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Ontology: Methamphetamine dependence (C1533217)

Concepts Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction (T048)
SnomedCT 426873000
English Methamphetamine dependence, Methamphetamine dependence (disorder), methamphetamine dependence (diagnosis), methamphetamine dependence, dependence; methamphetamine, methamphetamine; dependence
Spanish dependencia de metanfetamina (trastorno), dependencia de metanfetamina
Dutch afhankelijkheid; metamfetamine, metamfetamine; afhankelijkheidssyndroom
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Related Topics in Chemical Dependency

advertisement

2025 Family Practice Notebook, LLC. Terms | Privacy | About | Site Map | Newsletter | Blog

Footer Site Logo