Methamphetamine
The stimulant at the centre of the series.
Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant used mainly as a recreational or performance-enhancing drug and, less commonly, as a second-line treatment for ADHD. It was discovered in 1893 and exists as two enantiomers, levo- and dextro-methamphetamine; the hydrochloride salt, commonly called crystal meth, is the widely used illicit form.
Quick Facts
- Chirality
- Racemic mixture
- Trade name
- Desoxyn, others
- Dependency liability
- Physical: None, Psychological: Very high
- Addiction liability
- Very high
- Routes of administration
- By mouth
- intravenous
- intramuscular
- subcutaneous
- inhalation
- insufflation
- rectal
- vaginal
- Class
- Stimulant;, Serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent
- Legal US
- Schedule II
- Legal EU
- Rx-only
Lore & Background
Pharmaceutical methamphetamine is rarely prescribed because of its potential for misuse and the availability of drugs with comparable effects such as dextroamphetamine and lisdexamfetamine. Dextromethamphetamine is the stronger stimulant of the two enantiomers.
More in Chemistry & The Product
Elsewhere in Breaking Bad
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