Drexel University College of Medicine

Diseases and Conditions

Amphetamine intoxication

Definition

Amphetamine intoxication describes the state that occurs with the use of amphetamine drugs. Intoxication can easily lead to overdose with severe or deadly poisonous effects.

It may lead to:

• Agitation
• Coma
• Death
• High blood pressure
• Increased body temperature
• Irregular heart beats (cardiac arrhythmias)
• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
• Seizures
• Stroke

Alternative Names

Sympathomimetic intoxication; Intoxication - amphetamines or sympathomimetics; Intoxication - uppers

References

Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2006.

Physician Reference

International Classification of Diseases, 9^th Revision (ICD9)

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only - they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.