[Stimulants]

Abstract

The authors present a comprehensive account of stimulants from chemical structure to clinical use. They analyze in detail the function and pharmacokinetic properties of stimulants but also their clinical and undesirable side-effects. The section on the interaction of stimulants and other drugs and other types of treatment is very important. The second part of the paper deals with indications and contraindications of stimulants, incl. the possible risk of the development of dependence. There are many indications for stimulants in clinical (in particular paedopsychiatric) practice.