Physiologic, subjective, and behavioral effects of amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, phenmetrazine, and methylphenidate in man

Abstract

Five centrally acting sympathomimetic amines, d‐amphetamine, d‐methamphetamine, ephedrine, phenmetrazine, and methylphenidate, were studied in man. All of these agents increased blood pressure and respiratory rate, produced similar types of subiective changes, and increased the excretion of epinephrine. With regard to these parameters, there was a high concordance between estimates of their relative potencies. The concordance between the potency estimates for the different parameters suggests, but does not prove, that these five agents share a common mode of central action. Further, if the peripheral modes of action as elucidated by animal studies are true for man, this study suggests that it is unlikely that their central actions in man are a consequence of the release of norepinephrine in the brain.