Amphetamine Overdose - Signs, First Aid, Treatment, Consequences

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Amphetamine overdose

Amphetamine, a synthetic derivative of phenylethylamine, belongs to narcotic substances, has a pronounced psychostimulant effect and peripheral α- and β-adrenergic activity. Taking Amphetamine provokes a powerful release into the systemic circulation of catecholamines (mainly dopamine and norepinephrine) and serotonin (the "good mood hormone" or "happiness hormone"), causing a whole range of mental and physiological changes:

• improved mood, increased attention and concentration;
• the appearance of a sense of confidence and comfort;
• stimulation of speech and motor activity;
• general tonic effect;
• suppression of appetite;
• increased efficiency;
• increased heart rate;
• increased blood pressure (blood pressure);
• thirst and dry mouth;
• dilated pupils;
• increased body temperature.

Source: depositphotos.com

Since the 1920s, amphetamine has been used as a treatment for depression, obesity, urinary incontinence, post-encephalitic parkinsonism, coma, and alcoholism. Amphetamine and substances similar in chemical structure (methylphenidate, pemoline, phentermine, phendimetrazine, dexamphetamine and methamphetamine) are still used in some countries for the treatment of narcolepsy, depression and, in some cases, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.

The main danger of taking amphetamine is the development of mental and physical dependence. Abrupt withdrawal or withdrawal from use after use for several days in high doses causes withdrawal syndrome, accompanied by major depression, which can lead to suicide.

With regular use of the substance, tolerance to its psychostimulating effects develops, and therefore there is a need for a constant increase in the dose. In addition to tolerance, Amphetamine can cause a reverse reaction (sensitization), manifested by an increase in sensitivity to it.

By Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 486 of June 30, 2010, Amphetamine was included in the list of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, the circulation of which is prohibited in the Russian Federation (List I).

How much amphetamine is needed for an overdose?

Overdose symptoms can occur when the substance is taken in varying amounts. The possibility of intoxication in this case is determined not only by the magnitude of the dose, but also by the prescription and systematic nature of the previous application, the chemical purity of the substance, the physiological state of the victim's body and the presence of concomitant pathologies.

The phenomena of toxicity are determined by intravenous administration of 10-30 mg of Amphetamine in people who do not suffer from drug addiction, while drug addicts can tolerate a dose of up to 1000 mg per day. A lethal dose is 20–40 mg / kg.

Signs of overdose

The main signs of an overdose:

• irritability, anxiety, panic attacks;
• uncontrolled motor and speech excitement, followed by severe apathy, depression;
• reactions to habitual stimuli inadequate in strength and direction;
• insomnia;
• persistent pupil dilation;
• unmotivated anxiety;
• violation of orientation in time and place;
• hallucinations, delusions;
• paranoid tendencies;
• lack of coordination;
• headache, dizziness;
• feeling of "creeping";
• blurred speech, dysarthria;
• pressing and stitching pains in the region of the heart;
• shortness of breath, feeling short of breath, unsatisfactory inhalation;
• sharp tachycardia, increased blood pressure;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• increased sweating;
• erythematous skin rash;
• difficulty urinating.

Source: depositphotos.com

First aid for amphetamine overdose

First aid for overdose caused by injection of amphetamine:

1. Stop administration of the drug immediately.
2. Give the victim a functional body position.
3. Provide access to fresh air by opening windows, doors to the room where the victim is located, and unbuttoning tight clothing.
4. Call the ambulance team.

First aid when taking amphetamine inside:

1. Rinse the stomach, for which drink 1–1.5 liters of water or a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate and provoke vomiting by pressing on the root of the tongue. If more than 3 hours have passed since taking the drug, there is no need to flush the stomach.
2. Take enterosorbent (Enterosgel, Polysorb, Polyphepan according to the scheme or activated carbon at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight).
3. Take a saline laxative (magnesium sulfate).
4. In the presence of symptoms of clinical death (absence of pulse in the carotid arteries, pupil response to light, respiration and consciousness), proceed with basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which should be carried out until spontaneous breathing resumes or a doctor arrives.

In case of an overdose of amphetamine and its derivatives, it is necessary to provide the victim with complete psycho-emotional and physical rest in order to eliminate additional stress on the cardiovascular system.

Antidote

There is no specific antidote for amphetamine.

When is medical attention required?

If the onset of symptoms of an overdose is reliably associated with the previous use of amphetamine or its derivatives, medical attention is needed in 100% of cases. The need for qualified intervention is due to the unpredictability of the manifestations of overdose and the high risk of possible complications.

The victim is hospitalized in the specialized department of the hospital, where specialized therapy is carried out:

• forced diuresis with oxidation by ascorbic acid;
• with persistent hyperthermia - antipyretic drugs;
• for convulsions, panic attacks, anxiety - benzodiazepines;
• the introduction of antiarrhythmics in case of development of cardiac arrhythmias;
• β-blockers for tachycardia and hypertension;
• artificial ventilation of the lungs and oxygen therapy in case of respiratory depression;
• for the purpose of hemodilution - infusion therapy with colloids and crystalloids;
• in severe cases - hemosorption, plasmapheresis.

Possible consequences

An overdose of amphetamine and its derivatives can have the following consequences:

• acute renal failure;
• acute liver failure;
• acute myocardial infarction;
• toxic pulmonary edema;
• acute violation of cerebral circulation;
• depression;
• mental disorders.

Olesya Smolnyakova Therapy, clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapy About the author

Education: higher, 2004 (GOU VPO "Kursk State Medical University"), specialty "General Medicine", qualification "Doctor". 2008-2012 - Postgraduate student of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, KSMU, Candidate of Medical Sciences (2013, specialty "Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology"). 2014-2015 - professional retraining, specialty "Management in education", FSBEI HPE "KSU".

The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!