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Amphetamine overdose

Last reviewed: 11 Jun 2025
Last updated: 22 Mar 2022

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • agitation, irrationality, restlessness, sometimes aggressive behavior
  • hyperthermia >100°F (>38°C) but <103°F (<39.5°C)
  • hyperthermia >103°F (>39.5°C)
  • seizures
  • diaphoresis, flushed facial skin
  • tachycardia and palpitations
  • traumatic injury
  • headache
  • serotonin drug interaction
  • hypertension
  • hyperreflexia and clonus
  • chest pain
  • cardiac arrhythmia
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • history of hepatitis B or C, HIV
  • tremor, repetitive movements
  • disorientation, confusion, delirium
  • malnutrition
  • superficial venous abnormalities
  • rapid speech, pacing, trismus
  • hallucinations or delusions
  • tremor, hypertonicity, or muscle rigidity
  • paranoia, hypervigilance, or psychosis
  • mydriasis
  • history of heart disease
  • tachypnea
  • dyspnea
  • lack of thirst
  • abdominal pain
  • positive Babinski reflex
  • focal neurologic signs, papilledema
Full details

Risk factors

  • high ambient temperature
  • volume depletion
  • exercise and sweating
  • excessive alcohol intake
  • polydrug usage
  • anxiety and depression
  • history of behavioral disturbance
  • history of delinquency or crime
  • ADHD
  • attendance at dance club or rave party
  • history of drug misuse for >1 year
  • genetic predilection
Full details

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • serum glucose
  • serum electrolytes
  • serum creatinine, BUN
  • ABG
  • serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase
  • serum prothrombin time, PTT, INR
  • urinalysis
  • urine toxicology screen
  • serum alcohol level
  • serum creatine kinase
  • serum troponin
  • ECG
  • Chest x-ray
Full details

Investigations to consider

  • serum D-dimer
  • abdominal x-ray
  • CT of the head
  • MRI of the head
  • cerebral angiography
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

all patients

Contributors

Authors

John R. Richards, MD, FAAEM

Professor

Department of Emergency Medicine

University of California, Davis Medical Center

Sacramento

CA

Declarações

JRR is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Agradecimentos

Dr John R. Richards would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Alison Jones, a previous contributor to this topic.

Declarações

AJ is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Revisores

Andrew Stolbach, MD

Assistant Professor

Department of Emergency Medicine

Johns Hopkins University Hospital

Baltimore

MD

Declarações

AS declares that he has no competing interests.

Richard J. Geller, MD, MPH, FACP

Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine

University of California San Francisco School of Medicine

San Francisco

CA

Declarações

RJG declares that he has no competing interests.

David Wood, BSc, MB ChB, MD, MRCP

Consultant Physician and Clinical Toxicologist

Guy's and St Thomas' Poisons Unit

London

UK

Declarações

DW is an author of a reference cited in this topic.

Referências

Nossas equipes internas de editoria e de evidências trabalham em conjunto com colaboradores internacionais especializados e pares revisores para garantir que forneçamos acesso às informações o mais clinicamente relevantes possível.

Principais artigos

Carvalho M, Carmo H, Costa VM, et al. Toxicity of amphetamines: an update. Arch Toxicol. 2012 Aug;86(8):1167-231. Resumo

Glasner-Edwards S, Mooney LJ. Methamphetamine psychosis: epidemiology and management. CNS Drugs. 2014 Dec;28(12):1115-26.Texto completo  Resumo

Richards JR, Albertson TE, Derlet RW, et al. Treatment of toxicity from amphetamines, related derivatives, and analogues: a systematic clinical review. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2015 May 1;150:1-13. Resumo

Artigos de referência

Uma lista completa das fontes referenciadas neste tópico está disponível para os usuários com acesso total ao BMJ Best Practice.
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