Methamphetamine Epidemic: A Case Study

With the rise of the “ice epidemic” and media accounts of the terrible impacts of methamphetamine, its legitimate medical uses has been relegated to the background. Methamphetamine is highly addictive and affects the central nervous system, (NIDA, 2013). The drug is classified as a Schedule 8 or dangerous drug of addiction (DDA) in Australia due to its high potential for abuse. It is only available through a doctor’s prescription in America (Medical News Today, 2014). Thus, this essay will investigate whether methamphetamine should be used to treat obesity using the medicine, desoxyn.

Biochemistry behind the issue - (marked as KU1, KU2, KU3 on SACE Rubric) (words: 352)

Figure 1: The interaction of methamphetamine in the neuron

The transporter molecule, known as dopamine active transporter (DAT), which usually transports dopamine or norepinephrine, carries the methamphetamine to the nerve cell terminals (NIH, 2009). The methamphetamine causes an increased release of the neurotransmitters (dopamine or norepinephrine) in the brain (Macalester, 2008). The methamphetamine however blocks the reuptake of the dopamine because the drug alters the DAT by making it reverse instead of transporting the chemical back to the presynaptic neuron, (NIH, 2009). As shown in figure 1 the methamphetamine travels its way to the dopamine receptor on a vesicle and blocks up the dopamine transporter (NIH,2009). As an increased level of dopamine reaches and builds up on the postsynaptic neuron the person feels a sensation of euphoria for a short amount of time, (Medical News Today, 2014). The postsynaptic neuron is responsible for receiving neural information from the presynaptic neuron and determining whether the information is valuable to send to other neurons or send back to presynaptic neuron (NIH,2009).

As the euphoric effects mentioned above are the blame for the misuse, addiction and physical and psychological side-effects, the molecule has medical purposes. Methamphetamine is

Desoxyn has proven efficacy in elevating the mood as well as suppressing the appetite in obese people allowing them to achieve their weight loss goals, (PDR health, 2015). Patients prescribed this medicine may experience depression due to their weight and failed weight-loss treatments, thus desoxyn can be a key advantage for them because it reduces weight, elevates the mood, increases attention and motivation. Desoxyn has been shown to cause more weight loss when taken alongside a dietary management, compared to people taking a dietary management alone (PDR, 2015). This evidence demonstrates that the medicine is most effective when taken alongside a dietary management