Amphetamine used in ADHD for long term than cause ?

NORCET 1 - 2020

Pharmacology

Medium

Appeared in: NORCET 1 - 2020

Explanation

Amphetamines are Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulants used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.
They work by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses.
Long-term use can lead to the worsening or new onset of psychiatric disorders, including mania, due to chronic overstimulation of these neurotransmitter systems.
Mania is characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and agitation, which aligns with the stimulant properties of the drug.

Option A: Confusion is not a characteristic long-term effect. It is more commonly associated with acute overdose or toxicity, where it can present as delirium.
Option B: Amphetamines are anorexiants, meaning they suppress appetite. Increased appetite is the opposite of their known effect.
Option D: As CNS stimulants, amphetamines increase metabolic rate and cause hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), not hypothermia.

Visual 1: Diagram - A diagram of a neuronal synapse illustrating how amphetamines block the reuptake and increase the release of dopamine and norepinephrine, leading to their accumulation in the synaptic cleft.
Visual 2: Table - A summary table of common vs. severe long-term side effects of stimulant medications, categorizing them by body system (CNS, Cardiovascular, GI, etc.).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Long-term adverse effects of amphetamine therapy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must monitor patients on long-term amphetamine therapy for changes in mood and behavior, such as irritability, agitation, or signs of mania (e.g., decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, grandiosity).
Monitoring for physical side effects is crucial, including regular checks of weight, height (in children), blood pressure, and heart rate.
Patient education should include information on the risk of psychiatric side effects and the importance of not altering the dose without consulting a physician.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the drug class mentioned in the question. Amphetamine is a Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant.
Next, recall the primary mechanism and effects of CNS stimulants. They increase alertness, energy, and sympathetic nervous system activity while suppressing appetite.
Consider the term 'long term'. This directs you to think about chronic effects rather than acute ones.
Evaluate each option based on the known pharmacology of stimulants.
Eliminate options that are direct opposites of known effects. Amphetamines cause decreased appetite (eliminating 'Increased appetite') and hyperthermia (eliminating 'Hypothermia').
Between the remaining options (Confusion and Mania), consider which is a more specific and well-documented long-term psychiatric consequence. Mania is a known, severe psychiatric adverse effect of chronic stimulant use.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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