Stimulants speed up the body’s systems.
This class of drugs includes: Prescription drugs such as amphetamines [Adderall® and Dexedrine®], methylphenidate [Concerta® and Ritalin®], diet aids [such as Didrex®, Bontril®, Preludin®, Fastin®, Adipex P®, Ionomin®, and Meridia®] and other illicitly used drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, methcathinone, and other synthetic cathinones that are commonly sold under the guise of “bath salts.”
Stimulants are diverted from legitimate channels and clandestinely manufactured exclusively for the illicit market.
Some hallucinogenic substances, such as ecstasy, have a stimulant component to their activity.
A number of stimulants have no medical use in the United States but have a high potential for abuse. These stimulants are controlled in Schedule I. Some prescription stimulants are not controlled, and some stimulants like tobacco and caffeine don’t require a prescription.
Stimulant chemicals in over-the-counter products, such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, can be found in allergy and cold medicine. As required by The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005, a retail outlet must store these products out of reach of customers, either behind the counter or in a locked cabinet.