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British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology logoLink to British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
. 1977 Jun;4(3):343–349. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1977.tb00722.x

Amphetamines, growth hormone and narcolepsy.

J D Parkes, A G Debono, P Jenner, J Walters
PMCID: PMC1429067  PMID: 901702

Abstract

1 Plasma amphetamine and growth hormone levels have been measured in eight normal and twenty-six narcoleptic subjects following a single dose of (+)-amphetamine (20 mg) or (-)-amphetamine (20 mg) by mouth. 2 Peak plasma levels and the shape of the plasma amphetamine-time curve were similar with both isomers in normal and narcoleptic subjects. 3 In most normal subjects both (+)-and (-)-amphetamine (20 mg) caused an increase in the plasma concentration of growth hormone. The two isomers were approximately equipotent in this respect. Neither (+)- nor (-)-amphetamine (20 mg) caused an increase in plasma growth hormone concentration in narcoleptics. 4 Following amphetamine (30 mg), two of six narcoleptic subjects had an increase in plasma growth hormone concentration. 5 Levodopa (250 mg) with (-)-alpha-methyldopa hydrazine 25 mg (Sinemet) by mouth, caused a rise in plasma growth hormone concentration in most normal subjects. The magnitude of the Sinemet-induced rise in plasma growth hormone concentration in narcoleptics was less than in normal subjects.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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