Pharmacotherapy of Addiction to Amphetamine-Type Stimulants

Amphetamine-like stimulants (ATS) use is second to marijuana as the most widely used illicit substances worldwide with an estimated 59 million people using these at least once a year. Their use is associated with significant morbidity including cardiovascular complications, psychosis, and mortality. A wide range of modalities including psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic interventions are available for the treatment of dependence to amphetamine-type stimulants. Although many clinical trials are currently in progress for treating addiction to ATS, there is no FDA-approved medication for the indication. In the meantime, it is highly recommended that the available treatment should be started early and should be comprehensive, integrated, and long term.