Difference between Methamphetamine and Amphetamine - Essay Example

Difference between Methamphetamine and Amphetamine Q1. Methamphetamine and Amphetamine Methamphetamine (methylated amphetamine) and Amphetamine share some of the peculiar aspects when it comes to their kinetics and dynamics in human bodies. One of such pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics effect includes what world health organization (WHO) call “amphetamine-type stimulant”. They have stimulating effect and that is why they are being abused so much by both the informed health workers and over the counter consumers in equal measure. This dyad set of drugs contains one effect that simulates each other. They both have a strong adrenaline effect when taken inside the body. The only difference between the amphetamine and methamphetamine is one. Methamphetamine is neurotoxic with toxicities of higher thresholds of blockading dopamine and serotonin neurons in the central nervous system. For amphetamine is not neurotoxic. The also methamphetamine once taken its metabolized into amphetamine and other toxic substance Origin of Methamphetamine & amphetamine The first pharmaceutical amphetamine was Benzedrine. At this time, it was used as inhaler to treat congestive respiratory system illness. On the other side methamphetamine is one of the oldest drugs of addiction and with a strong potential of abuse. It was first synthesized in the year 1887 by a Romanian chemist known as Lazar Edeleanu. It was not used clinically until the year 1920 when it was resynthesized to treat asthma, hay fever, and colds. Its strong debut was in the year 1930 when United States of America pharmaceutical company promoted it as treatment of rhinitis and asthma. Routes of Methamphetamine& amphetamine The route of methamphetamine amphetamines are many as longer they can reach plasma levels. They are usually taken inside of body or administered (therapeutic purpose) in a number of routes. Methamphetamine is water-soluble and can be smocked, snorted especially in its crystalline form, injected and is usually absorbed at faster rate in the body than non-methylated amphetamine. Names of Methamphetamine & amphetamine Is mostly known as meth, crystal meth, Amp, white cross, La glass while other as is call it. Other areas outside United States call it Tina, Christina, cris or cristy. Q 2. Drugs that fall in schedule III have become a common household item in many youth. They are being abused and the stats are startling. It has been shown through many surveys that the over the counter and prescription drugs are becoming another hub of drug abuse. Surprisingly or perhaps even shockingly, these drugs are being abused by the informed health care workers who should take responsibility of enlightening the public of the dangers of indulging into abusing these drugs (Callaghan, et al., 2012). Q3. Methylated amphetamine has more corporeal effects than pure amphetamine. Some of extra effects of the methamphetamine to body are the impaired speech, rapid pulse, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, and insomnia. The share side effects include euphoric feeling, sense of increased energy and a reduction on appetite. This drug also increases concentration and motivation. This a re desired body reaction to methamphetamine. Other undesired body reaction to the drugs includes drying of mouth headaches, weight loss, and anxiety and nervousness. The worst body reaction to this drug is habit-forming effect of using it. Methamphetamine is known to be neurotoxic. Q 4. An addict of this psycho stimulant drugs will display a number of symptoms that are suggestive of addiction has already taken over. The craving is the first symptom that denotes that addiction is taking root. This usually is caused by the symptoms that come with withdrawal symptoms. In addition, the person will develop tolerance on the drug after the sometime. This is shown by slow increase in the dosage that he or she takes daily. The addicted will also show symptom of dependence where he or she cannot do without the drug. He will be dependent on the drug. Final symptom is methamphetamine psychosis due to addiction. Tremens also occur in person who uses methylated amphetamines because of those alcohol components. Q5. Methamphetamine has a double addictive effect that is physiological. This come the alcohol component and the construct of amphetamine. Its effect is on the brain reward center. This brain reward center is usually induced by continuous and chronic high dose exposure to this drug. The drug causes the release of dopamine and glutamate. Continuous production of these two chemicals in the brain will eventually lead to production of phosphorylated CREB. This chemical construct persist in the neurons and accumulate over time following chronic exposure to methamphetamine. The result is the formation of protein that is master control of brain reward center that causes addiction related structural changes in the brain (Callaghan, et al., 2012). This is how methamphetamine physiologically causes addiction to the chronic user of the drug. Q6 Population using the Methamphetamine Globally, in the year 2013 the persons said to be using methamphetamine is said to be 30.40 million. Though it was last on the order of substance, being abused its number were significant (UN Office on Drugs and Crime, 2014. pg.83). Age of users The starting age of users according to researches show that in between age of 25-30 years is 43%. For this age bracket the research revealed that 70% of are health care workers. Deaths The death resulting from methamphetamine and its related complication are placed at 1.5% in United State of America Effect on healthcare system Most of the healthcare facilities are now making spacious rehabilitation facility to cater for the addict of substances such as methamphetamine. Addiction to substances account for 5.67% of disease burden in United State of America. Families According to a survey of the family with a patient who is an addict, it said that 40% of the family resources are usually directed toward either buying the substance of abuse such as methamphetamine or for rehabilitating the patient. Q7. Neurotoxic levels methylated are not reversible by any antidote. Overdose of methylated amphetamine is moderately common and fetal when it happens. The symptom that comes with the overdose is as follow: The patient feels chills, fever, and sweating. On the patient, also present with muscle spasms and aching of the back. Some will come convulsing, with no urine output and dilated pupils that have blurred vision. Breathing is usually with difficulty and lips appear blue. The blood pressure is usually high at first then dramatic drop of the blood pressure (Arceloux, 2012, p. 193). Q8. In case of over dose, there should be pre hospital and hospital management of the effects. The pre hospital management include care of patients for the seizures, loss of competent airway, cardiac dysrhythmias, and trauma. Managing addiction of methamphetamine involves slow withdrawal from the drug while managing the reactions of withdrawal. The patients should be well monitored since relapse is easy. Therefore, the drugs should be kept out of reach of the patient as cancelling goes on to increase the will power of stopping the addiction. Q9. In United States, the drug is controlled and cannot be sold over the counter without permission. That is one the control measure of abuse. In addition, the drug is classified as schedule ii meaning they have been recognized as substance with high potential of abuse though with medical use. In addition, they recognize that the abuse of drug have severe psychological or physical dependence. Possession of methamphetamine should be made illegal with heavy penalty on it. Healthcare workers should also be educated over the same and be liable to serve a sentence upon negation of the policy on controlled drugs. Reference Arceloux, D. G. (2012). Medical toxicology of drug abuse: Synthesized chemicals and psychoactive plants. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons. Callaghan, R. C., Cunningham, J. K., Sykes, J., & Kish, S. J. (2012). Increased risk of Parkinsons disease in individuals hospitalized with conditions related to the use of methamphetamine or other amphetamine-type drugs. Drug and alcohol dependence, 120(1), 35-40. UN Office on Drugs and Crime. (2005). World drug report 2005: Volume 1. Vienna: UN, Office on Drugs and Crime. 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