Isolation and identification of amphetamines in urine by thin-layer chromatography

Abstract

Amphetamine derivatives are psychostimulating drugs. They are characterized by their strong central stimulating, anorectic, and peripheral sympathomimetic effect. They are used in the therapy of narcolepsy; amphetamine derivatives are relatively successful and, because administration is for a short time only, the effects of intolerance do not appear, in contrast with their use in the treatment of anorexia. Amphetamine derivatives incite a state of increased wakefulness, avert sleep, and accelerate psychomotor activity; the brain is able to capture and process a greater number of stimuli. This effect is, however, achieved at the cost of the quality of brain function. Alerting amines are abused for their euphoric effects by addicts. Amphetamine (AP) is a typical representative of the psychostimulants. It is well adsorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and easily penetrates the blood–brain barrier. The biological half-life is 12–34 h, depending on the pH of urine. Many individuals orally abuse amphetamine for abolition of fatigue, enhancement of wakefulness, and mood elevation. It appears in urine 20 min after administration and chronic consumers can have urine levels in the range