14.02.2 Amphetamine

Amphetamine abusers are thin. Amphetamine releases noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) from their respective neurones. This release of neurotransmitters leads to increased levels in the synapse, and increased stimulation of their respective receptors. In the central nervous system (CNS), the release of DA is associated with the central stimulant effect, for which amphetamines are abused. In the CNS, the release of NA and 5-HT is associated with the anorectic effect. Thus, if the anorectic effects of amphetamine could be separated from the central stimulant, we would have a useful anorectic drug. This has been achieved to a certain extent with phentermine.