Title:Amphetamine-Type Medicines: A Review of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Toxicological Aspects.
Volume: 8
Issue: 4
Author(s): Kristianee C. Mariotti, Luciana G. Rossato, Pedro E. Fröehlich and Renata P. Limberger
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Amphetamine, amphepramone, diethylpropione, fenproporex, methylphenidate, stimulants.
Abstract: Amphetamine-like drugs are sympathomimetic agents with marked central and peripheral stimulant properties.
Despite the street illegal drugs such as amphetamine and ecstasy, some amphetamine-like compounds are also legally
marketed under medical prescription in the treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (methylphenidate) and
obesity/overweight (fenproporex and diethylpropione). However, similar with what happens with their illicit analogues,
therapeutic amphetamine-like drugs also share important toxicological risks. Although methylphenidate is considered the
first choice in the treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, its high popularity among teenagers and children is
raising concern in the medical community. Regarding weight-loss purposes, the use of amphetamine-like compounds are
very controversial, though. Thus, the present review will address pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and toxicological
aspects of amphetamine-like compounds used with therapeutic aims.