n 1938, a Temmler chemist in Berlin synthesised
Pervitin(
methamphetamine-hydrochloride), the
pharmaceutical drug was then manufactured and dispensed
over-the-counter to the public as a
central nervous system and
circulatory systemanaleptic,
psychiatric performance enhancing stimulant and to induce or extend
wakefulness to treat
narcolepsy.
[2][3] Pervitin was made available and packaged in thirty
tablet oral dosage form, and in six 1
ccm glass
ampulla form as an
intramuscular or
intravenous injectable. The company became especially known for the introduction of its methamphetamine-hydrochloride preparation brand
Pervitin, which the company produced from 1938 up until 1988.
[2]
According to a
Der Spiegel article in 2005,
Nazi Germany believed that Pervitin could also help win World War II, so the
German armed forces was supplied with more than 38 million Pervitin tablets, especially during Germany's "
Blitzkrieg"
invasion of Poland and the
Battle of France during 1939/40 where it was introduced to soldiers to attenuate
anxiety and increase performance and concentration.
[2][4]