9.4.14 Other clinical effects
No relevant data
9.4.15 Special risks
Pregnancy: Eriksson et al. (1989) followed 65
children whose mother were addicted to amphetamine
during pregnancy, at least during the first trimester.
Intelligence, psychological function, growth, and
physical health were all within the normal range at
eight years, but those exposed throughout pregnancy
tended to be more aggressive.
A case report describes a normal female infant born to
mother who took up to 180 mg/day of dexamphetamine for
narcolepsy throughout pregnancy (Briggs et al., 1975).
Breast-feeding: Amphetamine is passed into breast
milk and measurable amounts can be detected in
breast-fed infant’s urine. Therefore lactating mothers
are advised not to take or use amphetamine.
9.5 Other
Amphetamine withdrawal syndrome: Abrupt discontinuance
following chronic use is characterised by apathy, depression,
lethargy, anxiety and sleep disturbances. Myalgias, abdominal
pain, voracious appetite and a profound depression with
suicidal tendencies may complicate the immediate
post-withdrawal period and peak in 2 to 3 days. To relieve
these symptoms, the user will often return to use more
amphetamine, often at increasing doses due to the tolerance
which is readily established. Thus a cycle of
use-withdrawal-use is established (Kramer et al., 1967; Hart
& Wallace, 1975). Physical effects are not life threatening
but can lead to a stuporose state (Tuma, 1993); the
associated depression can lead to suicide. It may take up to
eight weeks for suppressed REM (rapid eye movement ) sleep to
return to normal (Brust 1993).
“Overamped”: When the intravenous dosage is increased too
rapidly the individual develops a peculiar condition referred
to as “overamped: in which he or she is conscious but unable
to speak or move. Elevated blood pressure, temperature and
pulse as well as chest distress occurs in this setting. Death
from overdose in tolerant individuals is infrequent.
9.6 Summary
