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What is methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant. It affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control. Methamphetamine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is also used to treat obesity after other diets or medications have been tried without successful weight loss. Methamphetamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What are the possible side effects of methamphetamine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using methamphetamine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;

• feeling light-headed, fainting;

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure); or

• tremor, restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches).

Continue taking methamphetamine and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• headache or dizziness;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;

• diarrhea, constipation;

• loss of appetite, weight loss; or

• loss of interest in sex, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

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 methamphetamine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. Take this medication with a full glass of water. Do not take methamphetamine in the evening because it may cause sleep problems (insomnia). If you are taking methamphetamine for weight loss and your appetite gradually increases, do not take more of the medication to suppress appetite. Stop taking methamphetamine and call your doctor.

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What is the most important information I should know about methamphetamine?
Do not use methamphetamine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take methamphetamine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to methamphetamine, or if you have hardened arteries (arteriosclerosis), heart disease, moderate to severe high blood pressure (hypertension), overactive thyroid, glaucoma, severe anxiety or agitation, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, or if it is already evening, skip the missed dose and take the medicine the next morning. Taking this medicine late in the day can cause sleep problems. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect methamphetamine?
Before taking methamphetamine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: insulin; cold medicines (decongestants); guanethidine (Ismelin); phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluperazine (Stelazine); or antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).

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

Methamphetamine has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. One study on the effects 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 anomalies was not significantly increased. Methamphetamine 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.

Methamphetamine is excreted into human milk. Methamphetamine is considered contraindicated during breast-feeding by the manufacturer.

One woman was convicted of killing her 2 month old infant. According to the prosecution, she administered a lethal quantity of methamphetamine by breast-feeding. This is the first case in which an infant's death has been attributed to ingestion of a drug in breast milk.

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What does my medication look like?
Methamphetamine is available with a prescription under the brand name Desoxyn. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. Desoxyn 5 mg--white tablets Desoxyn Gradumet 5 mg (long-acting)--round, white tablets Desoxyn Gradumet 10 mg (long-acting)--round, orange tablets Desoxyn Gradumet 15 mg (long-acting)--round, yellow tablets

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of methamphetamine can be fatal. Symptoms of a methamphetamine overdose include restlessness, tremor, muscle twitches, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine. These symptoms may be followed by depression and tiredness. Other overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, uneven heartbeats, feeling light-headed, fainting, seizure (convulsions), or coma.

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What should I discuss with my doctor before taking methamphetamine?
Do not use methamphetamine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take methamphetamine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to methamphetamine or if you have: heart disease or moderate to severe high blood pressure (hypertension);

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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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