Newsgroups: alt.drugs
From: [e--ny--r] at [beagle.Colorado.EDU] (Eric E. Snyder)
Subject: Re: Amphetamines/CNS Stimulants
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1993 14:38:00 GMT

[c--s] at [muffin.apana.org.au] (Craig Sanders) writes:
>[d--r] at [spdcc.com] (Steve Dyer) writes:
>>The elimination of amphetamines is hastened by an acidic urine
>>(the protonated form is not resorbed after being excreted by the
>>kidneys), and their half-life is prolonged by an alkaline urine.
>in other words, drinking a glass of, say, bicarb and water (yuk!), before
>taking the speed can increase the longevity of the dose?
>can someone confirm this?  or perhaps suggest alternatives to bicarb?

This is absolutely true.  Taking a handful of antacid tablets is as 
effective and less noxious than drinking bicarbonate solution.  
Unfortunately, this also changes the predominant mode of amphetamine
elimination from renal to metabolism by p-hydroxylation.  p-Hydroxy-
amphetamine was (at least in the early 70s) thought to be the metabolite
responsible for amphetamine psychosis.  I think this view has fallen
into disfavor.  However, there is certainly evidence which links 
psychotic symptoms (delusion of reference, paranoia, formination) 
to half-life.  However, the more parsimonious explanation is simply
that the patient is exposed to more of the drug for a longer period
of time.  

The same trick can be used in reverse to clear the drug faster
when it is time to crash.  Taking heroic doses of vitamin C (30 to 
40 gm) can acidify the urine enough to hasten excretion.  


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Eric E. Snyder                            
Department of MCD Biology              ...making feet for childrens' shoes.
University of Colorado, Boulder   
Boulder, Colorado 80309-0347
LeuIleAlaLysHisTrpAlaAlaAsnGlnGlyTrpAspLeuAsnLysAspGlyGlnIleGlnPheValLeuLeu
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