Amphetamine Dosage Guide

Amphetamine overdose can be **life-threatening**, primarily through cardiovascular and neurological complications. Unlike opioid overdose, there is **no specific reversal agent** for amphetamine toxicity. The lethal dose varies widely between individuals, with tolerant users surviving doses that would be lethal in naive users. Community reports include accounts of survival after extremely high doses (400+ mg), though such experiences are described as intensely painful and dangerous. ## Signs of Amphetamine Overdose - **Severe chest pain** - **Extremely rapid or irregular heartbeat** - **Very high blood pressure** - **High fever (hyperthermia)** -- a critical danger sign, as hyperthermia is the primary mechanism of stimulant neurotoxicity - **Seizures** - **Severe agitation or psychosis** - **Paranoid delusions and hallucinations** - **Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis)** -- manifesting as dark urine and severe muscle pain - **Loss of consciousness** ## Emergency Response **Call emergency services (911) immediately** for any of these symptoms. While waiting: 1. **Keep the person calm and in a cool environment** -- reducing body temperature is critical 2. **Do not attempt to physically restrain** someone in stimulant psychosis unless they pose immediate danger, as physical struggle can worsen hyperthermia and cardiovascular strain 3. **If the person is seizing**, protect their head and clear the area of hazards 4. **If unconscious and not breathing**, begin CPR 5. **Offer water** if the person is conscious and able to drink ## Hospital Treatment In the emergency department, **benzodiazepines** are the first-line treatment for agitation and seizures. Active cooling measures are used for hyperthermia. Cardiac monitoring is essential. Good Samaritan laws protect those who call for help. ## Combination Overdose Risk Community experience highlights that many amphetamine-related medical emergencies involve polydrug use, particularly combinations with alcohol, other stimulants, or depressants taken to counteract stimulant effects. The combination of amphetamine with alcohol is particularly problematic because the stimulant masks the depressant effects of alcohol, leading to greater alcohol consumption than the user realizes. Users who combine amphetamine with depressants (benzodiazepines, opioids) to "come down" risk delayed respiratory depression when the stimulant wears off first.