Amphetamines Testing

Examples: amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine),
methamphetamine (Desoxyn, Methedrine).

Medical uses: Attention deficit disorder (hyperactivity) of childhood,
narcolepsy, obesity (occasionally and for limited period)

Effects attractive to abuser: Euphoria, increased ability to
concentrate, increased alertness, heightened ability to perform
intellectual and physical tasks, appetite suppression (for weight loss).

Adverse effects: Insomnia, restlessness, irritability, palpitations,
rapid heartbeat, sweating, dilation of pupils, confusion, psychosis,
convulsions, death.

How abused: Pills taken orally; solution injected intravenously;
occasionally snorted into the nose in granular form.

Typical urine detection cutoff level: 300 ng/mL

Period detectable after last dose: Up to 30 hours on low dose, 120 hours
on high dose.

Substances causing false positive results (on initial drug screen only):
decongestants (ephedrine [Vatronol, Efedron], phenylpropanolamine
[Propagest, Sucrets Decongestant Formula, Rhindecon]); "diet pills"
(phenmetrazine [Preludin], phentermine [Phentrol, Tora, Fastin, Obe-Nix,
Obephen, Obermine, Obestin, Parmine, Phentamine, Phentrol 2, Unifast,
Wilpowr, Adipex-P, Dapex-37.5, Ionamin, Phentrol], phenylpropanolamine
[Diadax, Prolamine, Control, Dex-A-Diet, Dexatrim-15, Unitrol, Maximum
Strength Acutrim, Appedrine]; blood vessel dilators (isoxuprine
[Vasodilan], nylidrin [Adrin, Arlidin]). Only confirmatory testing of the
urine will determine if these interfering drugs are present. It should be
noted that some of these drugs, such as phenmetrazine and phentermine,
while not technically amphetamines, have similar abuse potential and
similar adverse effects.

Phenylethylamine (a product of decomposing, unpreserved urine) may
produce false-positive screens in unrefrigerated, old specimens which have
not been treated with fluoride preservative.