Dimethylamphetamine Explained

Dimethylamphetamine (Metrotonin), also known as dimetamfetamine (INN), dimephenopan and N,N-dimethylamphetamine, is a stimulant drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine chemical classes. Dimethylamphetamine has weaker stimulant effects than amphetamine or methamphetamine and is considerably less addictive^[1] and less neurotoxic compared to methamphetamine.^{[2] [3]} However, it still retains some mild stimulant effects and abuse potential,^[4] and is a Schedule I controlled drug.

Dimethylamphetamine has occasionally been found in illicit methamphetamine laboratories, but is usually an impurity rather than the desired product. It may be produced by accident when methamphetamine is synthesised by methylation of amphetamine if the reaction temperature is too high or an excess of methylating agent is used.^{[5] [6]}

It is said to be a prodrug of amphetamine/methamphetamine.^[7]

Notes and References

1. Witkin JM, Ricaurte GA, Katz JL . Behavioral effects of N-methylamphetamine and N,N-dimethylamphetamine in rats and squirrel monkeys . The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics . 253 . 2 . 466–74 . May 1990 . 2338643 .
2. Ricaurte GA, DeLanney LE, Irwin I, Witkin JM, Katz JL, Langston JW . 20682993 . Evaluation of the neurotoxic potential of N,N-dimethylamphetamine: an illicit analog of methamphetamine . Brain Research . 490 . 2 . 301–6 . June 1989 . 2765865 . 10.1016/0006-8993(89)90247-3 .
3. Fasciano J, Hatzidimitriou G, Yuan J, Katz JL, Ricaurte GA . N-methylation dissociates methamphetamine's neurotoxic and behavioral pharmacologic effects . Brain Research . 771 . 1 . 115–20 . October 1997 . 9383014 . 10.1016/s0006-8993(97)00801-9 . 8456534 . free .
4. Katz JL, Ricaurte GA, Witkin JM . 24707878 . Reinforcing effects of enantiomers of N,N-dimethylamphetamine in squirrel monkeys . Psychopharmacology . 107 . 2–3 . 315–8 . 1992 . 1615131 . 10.1007/BF02245154 .
5. Web site: Microgram Bulletin . US Drug Enforcement Administration . 2013-08-06 . 2013-04-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130414122936/http://www.justice.gov/dea/pr/micrograms/2005/mg0205.pdf . dead .
6. Web site: The Identification of d-N,N-Dimethylamphetamine (DMA) in an Exhibit in Malaysia . US Drug Enforcement Administration .
7. Book: Dettmeyer R, Verhoff MA, Schütz HF . Forensic Medicine: Fundamentals and Perspectives. 9 October 2013. Springer Science & Business Media. 978-3-642-38818-7. 519–.