Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant drug that
strongly activates certain systems in the brain.
Methamphetamine is closely related chemically to
amphetamine, but the central nervous system effects of
methamphetamine are greater. Methamphetamine is made in
illegal laboratories and has a high potential for abuse
and dependence. The drug can be taken orally, injected,
or inhaled. Acute higher doses lead to enhanced
stimulation of the central nervous system and
induce euphoria, alertness, reduced appetite, and a
sense of increased energy and power. Cardiovascular
responses to methamphetamine include increased blood
pressure and cardiac arrhythmias. More acute responses
produce anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, psychotic
behavior, and eventually depression and exhaustion. The
effects of methamphetamine generally last 2-4 hours and
the drug has a half-life of 9-24 hours in the body.
Methamphetamine is excreted in the urine primarily as
amphetamine and oxidized and deaminated derivatives.
However, 10%-20% of methamphetamine is excreted
unchanged. Thus, the presence of the parent compound in
the urine indicates methamphetamine use. Methamphetamine
is generally detectable in the urine for 3-5 days,
depending on urine pH level.
The following table lists the concentration of
compounds (ng/mL) that are detected methamphetamine positive
in urine by the iCassette, iCup, and iScreen products.
| D-Methamphetamine |
1,000 ng/mL |
| þ-Hydroxymethamphetamine |
30,000 ng/mL |
| L-Methamphetamine |
8,000 ng/mL |
| ±-3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine |
2,000 ng/mL |
| Mephentermine |
50,000 ng/mL |
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