What is this medicine?
METHAMPHETAMINE (meth am FET a meen) is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The drug may also be used together with diet and exercise in the short-term treatment of obesity.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- changes in vision
- chest pain
- confused, nervous, emotional changes
- dark urine
- fast, irregular heartbeat
- feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
- hallucination, loss of contact with reality
- muscle pain or weakness
- problems with balance, walking, talking
- seizures
- sudden headache
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- change in sex drive or performance
- changes in taste
- difficulty sleeping
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- headache
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 6 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
- lithium
- MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
- medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
- melatonin
- meperidine
- modafinil
- other stimulant medicines like dexmethylphenidate, methylphenidate
- pimozide
- procarbazine
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
- medicines for blood pressure
- medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
- medicines for diabetes
- phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Who should NOT use this medication?
- Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to sympathomimetic amines; in patients with 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.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
This prescription requires that you follow special procedures with your doctor and pharmacy. You will need to have a new written prescription from your doctor every time you need a refill.
This medicine may affect your concentration or hide signs of tiredness. Until you know how this medicine affects you, do not drive, ride a bicycle, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness.
Tell your doctor or health care professional if this medicine loses its effects, or if you feel you need to take more than the prescribed amount. Do not change the dosage without talking to your doctor or health care professional.
Decreased appetite is a common side effect when starting this medicine. Eating small, frequent meals or snacks can help. Talk to your doctor if you continue to have poor eating habits. Height and weight growth of a child taking this medicine will be monitored closely.
Do not take this medicine within 6 hours of bedtime. It can keep you from getting to sleep. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine and try to stick to a regular bedtime every night.
This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.
If you have been taking this medicine for a long time, do not suddenly stop taking it because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a nonmedical reason. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- glaucoma
- heart disease or a heart defect
- high blood pressure
- history of a drug or alcohol abuse problem
- psychotic illness, depressed mood, or suicidal thoughts
- seizures
- taken an MAOI like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in last 14 days
- thyroid problems
- Tourette's syndrome
- an unusual or allergic reaction to methamphetamine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
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.
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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