CNS stimulants

What are CNS stimulants?

CNS (central nervous system) stimulants are medicines that stimulate the brain, speeding up both mental and physical processes.

They increase energy, improve attention and alertness, and elevate blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. They decrease the need for sleep, reduce appetite, improve confidence and concentration, and lessen inhibitions.

Experts aren’t exactly sure how CNS stimulants work, although they suspect they increase levels of one or more neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, or serotonin. They may also have other effects, depending on the actual drug. For example, phentermine possibly indirectly increases leptin levels – leptin is a substance that tells us we feel full.

What are CNS stimulants used for?

CNS stimulants may be useful for the treatment of certain conditions characterized by symptoms such as prolonged fatigue, inability to concentrate, or excessive sleepiness. CNS stimulants may also be used to help with weight loss in people who are morbidly obese. CNS stimulants have been used for the following conditions:

Attention deficit disorder
Chronic lethargy
Morbid obesity unresponsive to other treatments
Narcolepsy
Neonatal apnea
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
Prolonged depression that is unresponsive to traditional antidepressants.

Unfortunately, some people misuse CNS stimulants for their ability to increase energy levels. Some CNS stimulants also create a brief feeling of euphoria or temporarily increase self-confidence.

What are the differences between CNS stimulants?

CNS stimulants differ in their ability to increase levels of certain neurotransmitters which determines what effect they have in the body and their side effects.

There are also differences in the length of time they act for in the body and how quickly they start to work. Some CNS stimulants have been modified to improve their effect, for example, a methyl group was added to amphetamine to make methamphetamine which lasts longer than amphetamine, penetrates the brain better, and is less likely to detrimentally affect the heart.

Generic name	Brand name examples
amphetamine	Adzenys ER, Dyanavel XR, Evekeo
armodafinil	Nuvigil
atomoxetine	Strattera
benzphetamine	Didrex, Regimex
caffeine citrate	NoDoz, Vivarin
dextroamphetamine	Dexedrine spansule, ProCentra, Zenzedi
dextroamphetamine/amphetamine combination	Adderall, Mydayis
dexmethylphenidate	Focalin
diethylpropion	Generics only
lisdexamfetamine	Vyvanse
methamphetamine	Desoxyn
methylphenidate	Aptensio XR, Concerta, Methylin, Metadate CD, Quillivant XR, Ritalin
modafinil	Provigil
phendimetrazine	Adipost, Bontril PDM
phentermine	Adipex-P, Lomaira, Suprenza

Are CNS stimulants safe?

CNS stimulants have many unpleasant side effects and deaths have resulted from their misuse.

They are widely abused and highly addictive. Withdrawal symptoms can be very harsh which encourages repeated and frequent misuse to maintain the high. Addiction can happen quickly after just a few uses; or in some cases, one use. Tolerance occurs, which means more of the substance needs to be taken to maintain the desired high.

Misuse of CNS stimulants can cause severe paranoia and psychosis, severe depression and suicidal thoughts. It can lead to a break down in relationships and affect a person’s ability to keep a job. Drug seeking behavior can take over a person’s life to the extent that their nutrition suffers. Illness and sexual dysfunction are also common in people who misuse CNS stimulants.

What are the side effects of CNS stimulants?

CNS stimulants are associated with a number of severe and undesirable side effects such as:

Depersonalization (a feeling that you are an observer of yourself)
Dizziness
Facial tics
Headaches
Inability to sleep
Increased blood pressure
Increased rate of breathing
Irritability
Feelings of depression
Increased anxiety
Loss of appetite
Manic behavior
Mood swings
Panic attacks
Paranoia
Restlessness
Tachycardia (a rapid heart rate)
Tremors or body shakes
Weight loss.

In addition, a dry mouth, unpleasant taste in the mouth, or gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, diarrhea, or constipation) may also occur.

For a more extensive list of side effects, click on the individual drugs.

List drug with CNS stimulants

Drug Name
Adderall Generic name: Amphetamine And Dextroamphetamine
Adderall XR Generic name: Amphetamine And Dextroamphetamine
Adhansia XR Generic name: Methylphenidate (oral)
Adzenys ER Generic name: Amphetamine
Adzenys XR-ODT Generic name: Amphetamine
Alert Generic name: Caffeine
Amphetamine Generic name: Amphetamine
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine Generic name: Amphetamine And Dextroamphetamine
Amphetamine Sulfate Generic name: Amphetamine
Aptensio XR Generic name: Methylphenidate (oral)
Armodafinil Generic name: Armodafinil
Azstarys Generic name: Dexmethylphenidate And Serdexmethylphenidate
Concerta Generic name: Methylphenidate (oral)
Cotempla XR-ODT Generic name: Methylphenidate
Cylert Generic name: Pemoline
Mydayis Generic name: Amphetamine And Dextroamphetamine Mixed Salts
Cafcit (Caffeine citrate Intravenous) Generic name: Caffeine Citrate
Cafcit (Caffeine Oral) Generic name: Caffeine (KAF-een)
Cafcit injection/oral liquid Generic name: Caffeine Citrate (injection/oral Liquid)
Caffeine and sodium benzoate Generic name: Caffeine And Sodium Benzoate
Caffeine Citrate Generic name: Caffeine
Caffeine citrate injection/oral liquid Generic name: Caffeine Citrate (injection/oral Liquid)
Daytrana Patch Generic name: Methylphenidate (transdermal)
Dexedrine Generic name: Dextroamphetamine
Dexedrine Spansule Generic name: Dextroamphetamine
Dexedrine Spansules Generic name: Dextroamphetamine
Dexmethylphenidate Generic name: Dexmethylphenidate
Dexmethylphenidate and serdexmethylphenidate Generic name: Dexmethylphenidate And Serdexmethylphenidate
Dextroamphetamine Generic name: Dextroamphetamine
Dextroamphetamine (Oral) Generic name: Dextroamphetamine
Dextroamphetamine (Transdermal) Generic name: Dextroamphetamine
Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine Generic name: Dextroamphetamine And Amphetamine
Dextrostat Generic name: Dextroamphetamine
Dyanavel XR Generic name: Amphetamine
Evekeo Generic name: Amphetamine
Evekeo ODT Generic name: Amphetamine
Focalin Generic name: Dexmethylphenidate
Focalin XR Generic name: Dexmethylphenidate
Jet-Alert Generic name: Caffeine
Jornay PM Generic name: Methylphenidate Hydrochloride
Liquadd Generic name: Dextroamphetamine
Lisdexamfetamine Generic name: Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate Generic name: Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate
Lucidex Generic name: Caffeine (KAF-een)
Metadate ER Generic name: Methylphenidate
Methylin Generic name: Methylphenidate (oral)
Methylin ER Generic name: Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate Generic name: Methylphenidate (oral)
Methylphenidate (Oral) Generic name: Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate Hydrochloride CD Generic name: Methylphenidate (oral)
Methylphenidate Hydrochloride LA Generic name: Methylphenidate (oral)
Methylphenidate transdermal Generic name: Methylphenidate (transdermal)
Modafinil Generic name: Modafinil
No Doz Generic name: Caffeine
No Doz Maximum Strength Generic name: Caffeine (KAF-een)
Nuvigil Generic name: Armodafinil
Pemoline Generic name: Pemoline
Pep-Back Peak Performance Generic name: Caffeine
Pep-Back ReCharge Generic name: Caffeine
Pitolisant Generic name: Pitolisant
ProCentra Generic name: Dextroamphetamine
Provigil Generic name: Modafinil
QuilliChew ER Generic name: Methylphenidate Hydrochloride
Quillivant XR Generic name: Methylphenidate (oral)
Relexxii Generic name: Methylphenidate (oral)
Revive Generic name: Caffeine (KAF-een)
Ritalin Generic name: Methylphenidate (oral)
Ritalin LA Generic name: Methylphenidate (oral)
Ritalin-SR Generic name: Methylphenidate
Serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate Generic name: Serdexmethylphenidate And Dexmethylphenidate
Stay Awake Generic name: Caffeine
Vivarin Generic name: Caffeine
Vyvanse Generic name: Lisdexamfetamine
Wakix Generic name: Pitolisant
Xelstrym Generic name: Dextroamphetamine
Zenzedi Generic name: Dextroamphetamine

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