Dark side of amphetamine and analogues: Pharmacology, syndromic manifestation, and management of amphetamine addiction

The threat imposed by the use of psychoactive, illicit drugs on human health and the cost of rehabilitation of the affected individuals is nothing less than billions of dollars per year. Of the psychoactive substance abuse drugs are amphetamine and its analogues like methamphetamine. This Viewpoint intends to draw the attention of readers toward the neurological basis of falling a prey to methamphetamine. Attention has been paid toward a rapid desensitizing attribute that develops shortly after the repetitive use of drugs belonging to sympathomimetic agents of this group. Also summarized are the changes in physical characteristics and behavioral changes that could herald the loved ones around the methamphetamine abuser to seek the help of healthcare professionals before permanent and irreversible neurological damage ensues. A brief pharmacology of methamphetamine also precedes the management of these patients, for which no standard procedures exist at present