The instant invention makes impractical the use of sympathomimetic amine compositions in illicit drug production. More specifically, the preparation of methamphetamine from the disclosed pseudoephedrine hydrochloride formulations is inhibited. The present invention defines pharmaceutical compositions comprising a sympathomimetic amine salt and at least one combination inhibitor, the combination inhibitor which acts both to interfere with the isolation of the sympathomimetic amine from the composition and to interfere with the conversion of the sympathomimetic amine to another pharmacologically active compound. The contemplated compositions may also include reaction and separation inhibitors in any mixture to assure maximum protection against the use of the sympathomimetic amine-containing compositions for illegal drug manufacture. The presence of the combination, reaction and separation inhibitors does not significantly alter the release of the sympathomimetic amine from the composition.

A pharmaceutical composition has an acid salt of a sympathomimetic amine; and a denaturant of (i) at least one gum or viscosity modifier, and (ii) at least one surfactant, wherein the gum or viscosity modifier and the surfactant are present in amounts sufficient to have a denaturing effect on the sympathomimetic amine without significantly compromising the release of the sympathomimetic amine from the composition.