mAMP / MET

METHAMPHETAMINE

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Primary Products

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DrugSURE® Integrated Test Cups

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DrugSURE® Dip Tests

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OralTox® Oral Fluid Tests

ng/ml

Cut-Off Levels

Rapid Urine Test: 300, 500, 1,000 ng/mL

Rapid Oral Fluid Test: 25 ng/mL

WOD

Window of Detection Times

Urine Specimen: 1 – 3 Days

Rapid Oral Fluid Test: 48 Hours

What is methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine is a powerful and highly addictive central nervous system stimulant closely related to amphetamine but significantly more potent and longer lasting. Medically, a pharmaceutical form known as Desoxyn® is occasionally prescribed in tightly controlled cases for ADHD or severe obesity, but this use is rare. Most methamphetamine encountered in testing programs is illicitly produced and used recreationally.

Illicit methamphetamine appears in several forms: crystal meth (clear or bluish shards resembling glass), powder (white or off-white), or paste depending on manufacturing methods. It may be smoked, injected, snorted, or taken orally. Recreational use produces intense euphoria, increased energy, and prolonged wakefulness but is associated with extreme risk—addiction, cardiovascular strain, neurological damage, and severe behavioral changes.

Effects:

Intense euphoria and increased confidence
Surge in energy and alertness
Rapid heart rate and elevated blood pressure
Hyperthermia (dangerously high body temperature)
Decreased appetite
Dilated pupils and rapid breathing
Agitation, anxiety, and restlessness
Insomnia or long periods of wakefulness
Paranoia, aggression, or hallucinations
High risk of dependence and severe withdrawal symptoms

Commons Slang Terms:

Meth
Crystal
Crystal meth
Ice
Glass
Tina
Crank
Speed
Shards
Yaba (tablet form found in Southeast Asia)

Legal Status:

Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States, indicating recognized but extremely limited medical use and a very high potential for abuse. Because of this classification, methamphetamine is considered a core target drug in most standard toxicology screening panels, including point-of-care rapid tests used in workplaces, treatment programs, criminal justice settings, and federally regulated safety-sensitive environments.

For POC testing programs, methamphetamine’s legal status means:

Rapid screening for methamphetamine is widely expected and often mandatory, particularly in government and safety-sensitive jobs.
Confirmation testing is required for any presumptive positive to differentiate illicit methamphetamine from legitimate amphetamine prescriptions, since some cross-reactivity may occur.
Programs must have clear documentation processes to verify prescriptions (rare but possible for Desoxyn®).
Early detection is crucial because of methamphetamine’s strong association with acute impairment, safety risks, and high potential for misuse.

Methamphetamine’s prevalence and danger profile make it a priority analyte in nearly all modern toxicology programs, including rapid oral fluid and urine screening devices.