Interpretive Handbook

Test 8257 :
Amphetamines Confirmation, Urine


Amphetamines are sympathomimetic amines that stimulate the central nervous system activity and, in part, suppress the appetite. Phentermine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine are prescription drugs for weight loss. All of the other amphetamines are Class I (distribution prohibited) compounds. In addition to their medical use as anorectic drugs, they are used in the treatment of narcolepsy, attention-deficit disorder/attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and minimal brain dysfunction.


Because of their stimulant effects, the drugs are commonly sold illicitly and abused. Physiological symptoms associated with very high amounts of ingested amphetamine or methamphetamine include elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils, hyperthermia, convulsions, and acute amphetamine psychosis.


Confirming drug exposure involving amphetamines such as amphetamine and methamphetamine, phentermine, methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and methylenediaoxyethylamphetamine (MDEA)

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

The presence of amphetamines in urine at concentrations >500 ng/mL is a strong indicator that the patient has used these drugs within the past 3 days.


Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) is a metabolite of MDMA and MDEA. 


This test will produce true-positive results for urine specimens collected from patients who are administered Adderall and Benzedrine (contain amphetamine); Desoxyn and Vicks Inhaler (contain methamphetamine); Selegiline (metabolized to methamphetamine and amphetamine); and clobenzorex, famprofazone, fenethylline, fenproporex, and mefenorex, which are amphetamine pro-drugs.


Over-the-counter sympathomimetics such as ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine are occasionally detected in the screening immunoassay.




Cutoff concentrations:


<50 ng/mL



<50 ng/mL



<50 ng/mL



<50 ng/mL



<50 ng/mL



<50 ng/mL reported as negative


1. Baselt RC: Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man. Seventh edition. Foster City, CA. Biomedical Publications, 2004

2. Principles of Forensic Toxicology. Second edition, Washington, DC. AACC Press, 2003 pp 385