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What is amphetamine?
Amphetamine is a stimulant and an appetite suppressant. It stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain) by increasing the amount of certain chemicals in the body. This increases heart rate and blood pressure and decreases appetite, among other effects. Amphetamine is used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD). Amphetamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of amphetamine?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking amphetamine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• an irregular heartbeat or very high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or

• hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or confusion.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take amphetamine and talk to your doctor if you experience

• restlessness or tremor;

• anxiety or nervousness;

• headache or dizziness;

• insomnia;

• dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in the mouth;

• diarrhea or constipation; or

• impotence or changes in sex drive.

Amphetamine is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take amphetamine?
Take amphetamine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions , ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Do not take amphetamine in the evening because it may cause insomnia. Do not crush, chew, or open any "once-daily" (long-acting or sustained-release) amphetamine tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole. Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too much amphetamine could be dangerous.

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What is the most important information I should know about amphetamine?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Amphetamine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities. Amphetamine is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose or if it is already evening, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. A dose taken too late in the day may cause insomnia. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

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What other drugs will affect amphetamine?
Do not take amphetamine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days. Before taking amphetamine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: insulin or another medicine to treat diabetes; guanethidine (Ismelin) or reserpine (Diutensin-R); doxazosin (Cardura), terazosin (Hytrin), prazosin (Minipress), or guanadrel(Hylorel); a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), or desipramine (Norpramin)

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Amphetamines have been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. There has been one report of a case of severe congenital bony deformity, tracheoesophageal fistula, and anal atresia (vater association) in a baby born to a woman using dextroamphetamine during the first trimester of pregnancy. Amphetamines should only be given during pregnancy when benefits outweigh risks.

Infants born to mothers dependent on amphetamines have an increased risk of premature delivery and low birth weight. These infants may experience symptoms of withdrawal including dysphoria, agitation, weakness, and exhaustion. One study on the affects of methamphetamine abuse on pregnancy outcome reported that body weight, length, and head circumference were significantly decreased in neonates born to mothers who abused methamphetamines during pregnancy. The study also noted that the frequency of congenital anomolies was not significantly increased.

Amphetamines are excreted into human milk. Amphetamines are considered contraindicated during breast-feeding by the manufacturer.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to the sympathomimetic amines, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, moderate to severe hypertension, glaucoma, or advanced arteriosclerosis; within 14 days of MAO inhibitor therapy; and in agitated patients.
• Although amphetamines generally should not be used in patients with a history of drug abuse, some experts state that this is not an absolute contraindication, provided the patient can be monitored more carefully than would otherwise be indicated.

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What does my medication look like?
An amphetamine salt, amphetamine sulfate, is available generically with a prescription in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets. Other formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an amphetamine overdose include restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, an irregular heartbeat, and seizures.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amphetamine?
Do not take amphetamine if you have heart disease or high blood pressure; have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries); have hyperthyroidism; have glaucoma; have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days; or have a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have an anxiety disorder; Tourette's syndrome or motor or phonic tics; epilepsy or another seizure disorder; or

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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