Version July 2025
| Categories | Example | Principle mechanism of action | Other actions | Desired effects | Specific adverse effects | Shared common adverse effects | Abuse | Physical dependence |
| Amphetamines and similar-acting nonamphetamine stimulants | Amphetamine and methylphenidate | Increased norepinephrine and dopamine; release of dopamine and norepinephrine and inhibition of transporters | Release of epinephrine, serotonin, and histamine; also inhibits MAO | Increased energy, wakefulness, excitement/euphoria, improved cognition, enhanced physical performance, and decreased appetite | Tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, diaphoresis, agitation, confusion, delirium, psychosis, hyperthermia, and hypovolemia | Yes | Yes | |
| Amphetamine derivatives: methamphetamine | Release of dopamine and serotonin; reverse transport of dopamine | Release of norepinephrine, epinephrine; and inactivates reuptake | Dopaminergic toxicity and resulting Parkinsonism; short- and long-term paranoia and psychosis | Yes | Yes | |||
| Local anesthetic–based stimulant | Cocaine | Increase dopamine and norepinephrine by inhibiting reuptake; also blocks sodium channels | Also increase serotonin and epinephrine | Increased energy, sense of well-being, euphoria/invincibility, confidence, elevated mood, and increased libido | Peripheral vasoconstrictive effects on heart and vasculature; chest pain, arrhythmias, and myocardial ischemia | Yes | Yes | |
| Entactogens: stimulants with psychedelic properties, including social and sensory effects | Synthetic amphetamine derivatives: MDMA/ecstasy | Release of serotonin | Release of dopamine | Increased energy, feeling of personal relatedness/connectedness, euphoria, perception of sociability and enhanced communication, ability to empathize, and sexual arousal | Serotonin syndrome | Yes | Yes | |
| No namphetamine synthetics | Release dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin; and reverse transport | May interact directly with monoamine receptors; may block reuptake | Excited/agitated delirium; serotonin syndrome | Yes | Yes | |||
| Khat derivatives: cathinones |
