Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS)

Alias: Amfetamine

Interpretation

  • The presence of ATS >LOQ indicates exposure within a 2- to 3-day interval preceding specimen collection.

Metabolites

  • Methamphetamine is metabolized to amphetamine; both can be present in urine after methamphetamine use.

    Methamphetamine Amphetamine

  • Selegiline, femprofazone, and benzphetamine are all metabolized to methamphetamine and amphetamine.
  • Clobenzorex is metabolized to amphetamine.
  • Amphetamine is not metabolized to methamphetamine; absence of methamphetamine in the presence of amphetamine indicates the primary drug of use is amphetamine.
  • 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy, MDMA) is metabolized to 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA).

    3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine 3,4-methylenedioxy-amphetamine

Confirmation Tests:

Approximate Detection Times

Amphetamine-Type Stimulants LOQ (ng/mL) Detection Time* up to
Amphetamine 25 3 days
Methamphetamine 25 3 days
3,4‑Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) 25 2 days
3,4‑Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) 25 2 days
Phentermine 25  
Ephedrine/pseudoephedrine 25 5 days
*These are approximate detection times for the drug or metabolites in urine. The actual detection time depends on dose, frequency of use, and individual metabolism.

Note: These tests do not differentiate between dextro (+) amphetamines (eg, dexamphetamine) and racemic mixtures of dextro (+) and levo (-) isomers that are present in “street” amphetamines. These tests do not differentiate between ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.