The Progression of Amphetamine Usage
Eric Sorenson
Chem 461
The Progression of Amphetamine Usage
Introduction
Amphetamine and other related stimulants stimulants such as methylphenidate are common drugs used to combat physical and mental fatigue. Originally developed for their nasal decongestant abilities these stimulants become a major component in child and adolescent medicine. Why have we seen, in the last two decades, this street drug known as “speed” become increasingly more prevalent in the younger developing generations? As a schedule II drug the medicinal use of amphetamine and substituted amphetamines is limited but, curiously, has emulated a variety of seemingly legitimate uses in our society throughout the last century. We know the risks, dangers and consequences of the use of this drug in both clinical and recreational setting but American Pharmaceutical companies continue to manufacture 88% of the world’s legal stimulants. This paper will examine the history of use of amphetamine and some important derivatives throughout our society and then look at drugs such as Vyvanse, which is one attempt to diminish the abuse liability and possibly enhance therapeutic quality.
History and Cultural Significance During the late nineteenth century, the Romanian chemist L. Edeleando was the first to synthesize amphetamine, and note its similarity to the natural product ephedrine, although its nasal decongestion and stimulant effects were not observed until the 1920s10. In 1937 the drug became available in tablet form and entered the lives of Americans. Marketed as Benzedrine Sulfate this drug was sought after as a medication to treat narcolepsy, depression, obesity, alcoholism, cocaine addiction and certain psychological and mood disorders such as Minimum Brain Deficiency (MBD), which was, renamed Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in 198010. At the present day, the name of this disorder has been redefined as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to refer broadly to ADD and ADHD.
Chem 461
The Progression of Amphetamine Usage
Introduction
Amphetamine and other related stimulants stimulants such as methylphenidate are common drugs used to combat physical and mental fatigue. Originally developed for their nasal decongestant abilities these stimulants become a major component in child and adolescent medicine. Why have we seen, in the last two decades, this street drug known as “speed” become increasingly more prevalent in the younger developing generations? As a schedule II drug the medicinal use of amphetamine and substituted amphetamines is limited but, curiously, has emulated a variety of seemingly legitimate uses in our society throughout the last century. We know the risks, dangers and consequences of the use of this drug in both clinical and recreational setting but American Pharmaceutical companies continue to manufacture 88% of the world’s legal stimulants. This paper will examine the history of use of amphetamine and some important derivatives throughout our society and then look at drugs such as Vyvanse, which is one attempt to diminish the abuse liability and possibly enhance therapeutic quality.
History and Cultural Significance During the late nineteenth century, the Romanian chemist L. Edeleando was the first to synthesize amphetamine, and note its similarity to the natural product ephedrine, although its nasal decongestion and stimulant effects were not observed until the 1920s10. In 1937 the drug became available in tablet form and entered the lives of Americans. Marketed as Benzedrine Sulfate this drug was sought after as a medication to treat narcolepsy, depression, obesity, alcoholism, cocaine addiction and certain psychological and mood disorders such as Minimum Brain Deficiency (MBD), which was, renamed Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in 198010. At the present day, the name of this disorder has been redefined as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to refer broadly to ADD and ADHD.
Cited: 1The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. "Methylphenidate Transdermal." PubMed Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Dec. -0001. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000341/>. 2Bielt, J 3Diller, Lawrence. "The Ritalin Wars: Understanding America 's Adderall Obsession." Web log post. The Huffington Post. 19 Sept. 2011. Web. 4GlaxoSmithKline 5Golan, David E. "Ch. 17: Pharmacology of Drug Dependence and Addiction." Principles of Pharmacology: The Pathophysiologic Basis of Drug Therapy. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008. Print. 6Hart, Lianne 7Manufactured for Shire US Inc. MEDICATION GUIDE ADDERALL XR® (ADD-ur-all X-R) CII. Aug. 2011. Wayne, PA. 8Ovation Pharmaceuticals, Inc