People always get confused about drugs and their effects. Since they sound similar, they are different drugs used for various purposes.
The chemical makeup of the drug also looks similar. Both of them have distinct properties and characteristics.
Both of them cause many side effects in individuals. Amphetamine and methamphetamine are stimulant drugs for the central nervous system.
Key Takeaways
- Amphetamine, a stimulant, treats ADHD and narcolepsy, while methamphetamine is an illegal, highly addictive drug.
- Methamphetamine has a stronger impact on the central nervous system than amphetamine due to its faster absorption and more potent effects.
- Methamphetamine poses a higher risk of addiction, overdose, and health consequences than amphetamine.
Amphetamine vs Methamphetamine
The difference between Amphetamine and Methamphetamine is their addictive nature. Amphetamine is more addictive when compared to methamphetamine. Amphetamine is used widely for medical purposes, but methamphetamine is not used for medical purposes. Amphetamine is less potent, whereas methamphetamine is more potent since 2015, methamphetamine has a sub-class of amphetamine and then divided into a separate class.
Amphetamine is a drug used to stimulate the central nervous system. It is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD).
Disorders like narcolepsy and obesity are also treated with amphetamine. In 1887, the drug amphetamine was discovered. At first, it exists with two enantiomers.
They are Levoamphetamine and dextroamphetamine. In pure amine forms, the chemical is equally divided.
The term amphetamine is used to denote the enantiomers and also for single usage. In ancient days, the amphetamine drug was used to treat congestion and depression.
Methamphetamine is also a stimulant drug used to treat many disorders. It is used to treat the central nervous system.
Methamphetamine is a recreational drug that is used in second-line treatment. In 1893, the drug methamphetamine was discovered. It exists in two enantiomers.
They are levo-methamphetamine and dextro-methamphetamine. Like amphetamine, methamphetamine is also equal in the base mixture in pure amine forms.
Methamphetamine is not a prescribed medicine in recent days. Due to its heavy neurotoxicity, it is not prescribed.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | Amphetamine | Methamphetamine |
|---|---|---|
| Effects | Amphetamine is less effective | Methamphetamine is more effective |
| Long-lasting | Amphetamine will not last for a long time | Methamphetamine is long-lasting |
| Vigorous | Amphetamine is less vigorous | Methamphetamine is more vigorous |
| Medical purpose | Amphetamine is used for medical purposes | Methamphetamine is not used for medical purposes |
| Side effects | Amphetamine cause changes in blood pressure | Methamphetamine causes the rapid heart rate |
What is Amphetamine?
Amphetamine is a drug used to stimulate the central nervous system. It is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD).
Disorders like narcolepsy and obesity are also treated with amphetamine. In 1887, the drug amphetamine was discovered. At first, it exists with two enantiomers.
They are Levoamphetamine and dextroamphetamine. In pure amine forms, the chemical is equally divided.
The term amphetamine is used to denote the enantiomers and also for single usage. In ancient days, the amphetamine drug was used to treat congestion and depression.
In athletic performance enhancers and cognitive enhancers, amphetamine has significant use. It reacts as an aphrodisiac and euphoriant.
In many countries, amphetamine is used as a prescribed drug. Due to heavy health risks, illegal amphetamine production is restricted.
Benzedrine is the first amphetamine pharmaceutical drug. It is used to treat various disorders. Racemic amphetamine is the current pharmaceutical amphetamine.
The amphetamine increases the monoamine and excitatory transmission in the brain. The amphetamine targets norepinephrine, which is present in the neurotransmitter.
Oral, insufflation, rectal, intravenous, and intramuscular are various routes for transmission. Amphetamine has 20% of protein binding.
The melting point of amphetamine is 11.3 °C. The boiling point of amphetamine is 203 °C. The chirality of amphetamine is a racemic mixture.
Amphetamine also causes many side effects.
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is also a stimulant drug used to treat many disorders. It is used to treat the central nervous system.
Methamphetamine is a recreational drug that is used in second-line treatment. In 1893, the drug methamphetamine was discovered.
It exists in two enantiomers.
They are levo-methamphetamine and dextro-methamphetamine. Like amphetamine, methamphetamine is also equal in the base mixture in pure amine forms.
Methamphetamine is not a prescribed medicine in recent days. Due to its heavy neurotoxicity, it is not prescribed.
Methamphetamine has its potential and recreational use. In racemic methamphetamine and dextro-methamphetamine it is trafficked.
In the united states and in many countries, methamphetamine is categorized as Schedule II, which is a controlled substance. In Asia and Oceania, the illegal manufacturing of methamphetamine occurs.
For treatment, the nasal decongestant is used in the United States. Methamphetamine is more effective and vigorous. But it is limited in many countries.
Desoxyn, Methedrine is the trade name for methamphetamine. It has high addiction liability. The melting point of methamphetamine is 170 °C.
The boiling point of methamphetamine is 212 °C. It causes many side effects.
It causes heart disease, glaucoma, and hyperthyroidism. Due to heavy usage, it also causes hypersensitivity in individuals.
Disorders like blood pressure, mania, psychosis, and thyroid problems. It affects pregnancy in women and affects infants.
Main differences Between Amphetamine and Methamphetamine
- The continuous usage of amphetamine causes changes in blood pressure, and methamphetamine causes rapid heart rate.
- Amphetamine is used for medical purposes, but methamphetamine is not used for medical purposes
- Comparatively, amphetamine is less vigorous, and methamphetamine is more vigorous.
- The effect of amphetamine drug will not last for a long time, but
methamphetamine is long-lasting. - When compared to amphetamine, methamphetamine is more effective.
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/108705470000300403
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc1974659/
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
