How Long Does Amphetamine Stay in Your System

How Long Does Amphetamine Stay in Your System Addiction Drug Use Prescription Medications Print How Long Does Amphetamine Stay in Your System? Amphetamine in Your Blood, Urine, Hair, Saliva By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on November 23, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 12, 2020 Peter Dazeley / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Prescription Medications Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery In This Article Table of Contents Expand Effects Duration Factors That Affect Detection Time Elimination Symptoms of Overdose Getting Help View All Back To Top Amphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant drug that increases alertness, self-confidence, and concentration while creating a feeling of increased energy and decreasing appetite. Amphetamine is available by prescription but is also used illicitly as a recreational drug. It is also sometimes used by athletes as a performance-enhancing drug. Doctors prescribe amphetamine-containing medications, such as Adderall (dextroamphetamine/amphetamine), Adderall RX (a long-acting form of dextroamphetamine/amphetamine), Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine), and Desoxyn (methamphetamine) for  attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Amphetamines were also once used to treat narcolepsy and obesity, but this is less common today. Amphetamine is a Schedule II drug, meaning it has a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. It can be detectable for up to three months with certain tests. How Long Does Amphetamine Stay in Your System? Urine: Up to five daysBlood: Up to 48 hoursSaliva: Up to five daysHair: Up to three months How Long Does It Take to Feel Effects? The effects of amphetamine take place fairly quickly, often in less than an hour, and are similar to cocaine but last longer. When taken as prescribed, amphetamine-containing medication can cause the following side effects, which often improve as your body gets used to the drug: Loss of appetiteTrouble sleepingNauseaHeadachesNervousnessDry mouthMoodiness and irritabilityIncreased ticsDepression Side effects of amphetamine excessive use or misuse can range from mild to severe and include: HeadachesIncreased blood pressureIncreased heart rateInsomniaWeight lossHallucinationsConvulsionsCardiovascular issues (e.g., heart rhythm abnormalities, heart attack, stroke)Circulation issuesBlockages in small blood vessels (if the drug is crushed and injected)Psychosis and delusionsParanoiaReduced cognitive abilityBreakdown of muscleMalnutrition What Does Getting High on Amphetamines Feel Like? How Long Does Amphetamine Last? The half-life of amphetamine is an average of 10 hours, which means it takes that long for half of the ingested dose to be metabolized and eliminated from the bloodstream.  When taken orally, amphetamine peaks at 12 hours. If taken intravenously, the elimination half-life is about 12.2 hours. Adderall XR, a long-acting form of prescription amphetamine, lasts up to 12 hours in most healthy children. The following is an estimated range of times, or detection windows, during which amphetamine can be detected by various testing methods.?? Urine Amphetamine can be detected in a urine test for two to five days since the last dose. Blood Blood tests for amphetamine, which are typically done in a hospital setting, can detect the drug for up to two days. Saliva A saliva test, which uses a special device to extract a sample of saliva and deposit into a tube,  can detect amphetamine for one to five days since last use. Hair Amphetamine, like many other drugs, can be detected with a hair follicle drug test for up to 90 days. False Positive Testing Certain antidepressants (such as bupropion, fluoxetine, trazodone, or selegiline), antihistamines, nasal inhalers, and cold medicines that contain pseudoephedrine and/or promethazine can produce false-positive results for amphetamines on a urine drug screen. Always tell the clinicians about any prescription or over-the-counter medication you are taking. Factors That Affect Detection Time Trying to determine exactly how long amphetamine is detectable in the body depends on many variables, including how frequently it has been taken, how much was taken, and the persons metabolism, body mass, age, and overall health. Dosage Prescription amphetamines come in different strengths as well as immediate and extended-release forms, which can impact how long it takes for your body to metabolize the drug. For example, a 5mg dose of Adderall will have a shorter detection time than a 5mg dose of Adderall RX (the extended-release form). Overall Health Your liver and kidney function can play a role in how long it takes for your body to excrete amphetamine. People with decreased hepatic or renal function may eliminate amphetamine more slowly. Frequency of Use People who use amphetamine very frequently or as prescribed by a doctor will have longer detection times than those who use the drug one time. Metabolic Rate People with high metabolisms process and excrete amphetamine more quickly than those with a slower metabolism. Your metabolic rate can be affected by age, activity level, and overall health. Swallowing vs. Snorting vs. Smoking vs. Injecting The method by which you take amphetamineâ€"swallowing, snorting, smoking, or injectingâ€"also influences detection time.  In general, the faster the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream, the shorter the detection window, so if you smoke or inject amphetamine, it will leave the body faster than if you snort or swallow it. How to Get Amphetamine Out of Your System While many people try to sweat out or flush out amphetamines from their systems, the only proven way to clear your body of the drug is to discontinue use and to give your body the time it needs to metabolize and eliminate it.   Symptoms of Overdose One reason that it is important to know how long amphetamine remains in your system is because of the risk of overdose. If you or someone you love is prescribed a long-acting amphetamine, like Adderall RX, be sure to always swallow capsules whole; they should never be chewed or crushed, as this could release all the medication at once and increase your risk of overdose. The following are some of the symptoms of a possible amphetamine overdose:?? RestlessnessConfusionAggressive behaviorFeelings of panicHallucinationsFast breathingUncontrollable shaking of a part of the bodyFeverFast or irregular heartbeatFaintingDizzinessBlurred visionUpset stomachVomitingDiarrheaSeizuresComa If you suspect that you or a loved one may be experiencing an overdose, call 911 or seek medical help immediately. Getting Help Another danger of taking more of the drug than prescribed is that it can become addictive.?? When taken as prescribed for a health condition, amphetamine is not usually addictive, but when misusedâ€"to get high or to improve performanceâ€"people can become dependent on it. The body can also build up a tolerance for amphetamine, meaning that over time, it may require more of the drug to achieve the same effect. Taking more to reach the high or performance level you once experienced can lead to addiction or overdose. Symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal include: Strong cravingsMood swingsLack of concentrationHeadachesAches and painsIncreased appetiteSleep disturbances If you experience any of the above symptoms when you try to cut back or stop using amphetamine, you should seek medical advice immediately. Start by talking to your doctor, or contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-4357, or use the free,  online tool  to find treatment options in your area.