| Chemical Properties | Amphetamine is a mobile liquid with an
amine odor. |
| Chemical Properties | Colorless, volatile liquid; characteristic strong odor; slight burning taste. Soluble in alcohol and ether; slightly soluble in water. |
| Uses | Stimulant (central). |
| Uses | Amphetamines are advocated for use in a wide variety of
conditions but are medically approved for the treatment of
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, and weight
loss. Amphetamines are also popular drugs of abuse available
in several forms for different routes of abuse. |
| Uses | Amphetamine is the basis of a group of hallucinogenic, habit-forming drugs that affect the central nervous system. The drug also finds medical application, notably in appetite suppressants. It should be emphasized that administration of amphetamines for prolonged periods in connection with weight-reduction programs may lead to drug dependence. Professionals must pay particular attention to the possibility of persons obtaining amphetamines for nontherapeutic use or distribution to others. |
| Definition | ChEBI: 1-phenylpropan-2-amine is a primary amine that is isopropylamine in which a hydrogen attached to one of the methyl groups has been replaced by a phenyl group. |
| Brand name | Benzadrine
(SmithKline Beecham);Amfetamin;Amfetasul;Amphamed;Amphedrine;Bifentamin;Dexamin;Dexatrine;Isoamyn;Norphedrane;Novydrinene;Obesitab;Obetrol;Oktadrin;Perduretas anfetamina;Sympatedrin;Sympatina;Synatan;Wekamine. |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | Amfetamine and its derivatives are potent central stimulants. Use
of amfetamines has widely been discouraged due to abuse of their euphoric effect
and their limited field of usefulness. Amfetamines have a place in the treatment of
narcolepsy and in hyperkinetic syndrome in children. However, they are no longer
recommended for use in obesity or depressive illness. Amfetamine is controlled
under Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
(Reference: (UNCPS2) United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (II),
, , 1971) |
| General Description | Colored liquid with an amine odor. Used as a pharmaceutical, a central nervous system stimulant. |
| Reactivity Profile | Amines, such as D/L-AMPHETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE, are chemical bases. They neutralize acids to form salts plus water. These acid-base reactions are exothermic. The amount of heat that is evolved per mole of amine in a neutralization is largely independent of the strength of the amine as a base. Amines may be incompatible with isocyanates, halogenated organics, peroxides, phenols (acidic), epoxides, anhydrides, and acid halides. Flammable gaseous hydrogen is generated by amines in combination with strong reducing agents, such as hydrides. |
| Hazard | Flammable, moderate fire risk. Basis of a group of hallucinogenic (habit-forming) drugs that affect the central nervous system. Sale and use restricted to physicians. Production limited by law. |
| Health Hazard | D/L-AMPHETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE is classified as extremely hazardous. Probable lethal dose in humans is 5-50 mg/kg or 7 drops to 1 teaspoon for a 70 kg (150 lb.) person. Habit forming drug which affects the central nervous system. Excessive use may lead to tolerance and physical dependence. Death is possible. |
| Fire Hazard | Dangerous when exposed to heat or flames. Upon decomposition, nitrogen oxides are emitted. Can react with oxidizing materials. |
| Safety Profile | A deadly human poison
by an unspecified route. An experimental
poison by ingestion, subcutaneous,
intraperitoneal, and intravenous routes.
Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation
data reported. A central nervous system
stimulant. Overdoses cause hyperactivity,
restlessness, insomnia, rapid pulse, rise in
blood pressure, dilated pupils, dryness of the
throat. Combustible when exposed to heat,
flame, or oxidizers. When heated to
decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NO,.
To fight fire, use CO2, dry chemical, alcohol
foam, water mist, fog. See other benzedrine
entries. |
| Potential Exposure | Amphetamine is used as a pharmaceutical.
It is a CNS stimulant. |
| Environmental Fate | Amphetamines are indirect acting sympathomimetics, producing
their effects by inhibiting the transporters of dopamine, norepinephrine,
and serotonin at the presynaptic nerve terminal. This increases the release of norepinephrine, dopamine,
and serotonin and increased norepinephrine levels at
central synapses, which further stimulates alpha and beta receptors.
Some amphetamines also inhibit monoamine oxidase,
preventing the breakdownof catecholamines. Thesemechanisms
combine to produce the sympathomimetic and central nervous
system (CNS) effects seen with amphetamine abuse. |
| Shipping | UN2811 Toxic solids, organic, n.o.s., Hazard
Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, Technical
Name Required. |
| Toxicity evaluation | Amphetamine is a clear to colorless liquid in freebase or white
crystalline substance as a salt. As a liquid it slowly volatilizes
and has a characteristic amine odor. Amphetamine base is
slightly soluble in water, soluble in alcohol and ether. The
melting point of amphetamine is 300 C with some decomposition
occurring. |
| Incompatibilities | Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates,
nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine,
bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions.
Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases,
strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides. |
| Waste Disposal | It is inappropriate and possibly
dangerous to the environment to dispose of expired or
waste pharmaceuticals by flushing them down the toilet or
discarding them to the trash. Household quantities of
expired or waste pharmaceuticals may be mixed with wet
cat litter or coffee grounds, double-bagged in plastic, discard
in trash. Larger quantities shall carefully take into consideration
applicable DEA, EPA, and FDA regulations. If
possible return the pharmaceutical to the manufacturer for
proper disposal being careful to properly label and securely
package the material. Alternatively, the waste pharmaceutical
shall be labeled, securely packaged and transported by a
state licensed medical waste contractor to dispose by burial
in a licensed hazardous or toxic waste landfill or incinerator
Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent
and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner
and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental
regulations must be observed. |
