Amphetamine Dosage Guide

Amphetamine overdose is a **medical emergency** with no specific reversal agent. Death occurs through cardiovascular collapse, hyperthermia, or seizures. Tolerance can raise survivable doses tenfold, but a dose a tolerant user considers routine could kill a stimulant-naive person. ## Warning Signs Seek emergency help immediately for: - **Severe chest pain** or pressure - **Extremely rapid or irregular heartbeat** - **High fever (hyperthermia)** -- the most dangerous sign, driving multi-organ failure - **Seizures** - **Severe agitation, paranoia, or psychosis** - **Dark urine with muscle pain** (rhabdomyolysis) - **Loss of consciousness** ## What to Do **Call 911 immediately.** Good Samaritan laws protect callers in most US states. While waiting: 1. **Cool the person down** -- the single most important intervention. Move to a cool environment, apply cold water or ice packs to neck, armpits, and groin. 2. **Keep them calm.** Dim lights, lower noise, speak calmly. Avoid physical restraint -- struggling worsens hyperthermia and cardiac strain. 3. **If seizing**, protect their head and clear hazards. 4. **If unconscious and not breathing**, begin CPR. 5. **Offer water** if conscious and able to swallow. ## Hospital Treatment Emergency departments use **benzodiazepines** as first-line treatment for agitation, seizures, and hypertension. Active cooling for hyperthermia. Beta-blockers are avoided due to risk of unopposed alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction. Severe cases may require neuromuscular paralysis and ICU monitoring. ## The Polydrug Problem Many amphetamine emergencies involve combinations. Amphetamine with **alcohol** is particularly dangerous -- the stimulant masks sedation, leading to overconsumption. Users who take depressants to "come down" risk delayed respiratory depression when the stimulant wears off first.