Amphetamine

💊 What is Amphetamine used for?

• •The label says it is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in patients 6 years and older. The label says it is not recommended for children younger than 6 years.

How it works

The label says it may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in people with ADHD. The label excerpt does not describe the detailed way it works in the body.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says the tablet may be taken with or without food. The tablet stays in its blister pack until it is time to take it. The label says to open the blister with dry hands, tear along the perforation, bend the blister, and peel back the backing. The tablet should not be pushed through the foil. Place the whole tablet on the tongue as soon as the blister is opened. Let it dissolve in saliva without chewing or crushing, then swallow. The label describes it as a once-daily medicine taken in the morning. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Comes as

• •Light yellow, mottled, round tablets that dissolve on the tongue. The label excerpt lists 3.1 mg, 6.3 mg, 9.4 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15.7 mg tablets. Each strength has its own marking. The label also describes packaging in blister cards. Other strengths may be listed in the full label.

⚠️ Amphetamine side effects

🛑 Who should not take Amphetamine, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You are allergic to amphetamine or any of the ingredients in the tablet. The label says to see the full Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients.
• 🚨You are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant, or have taken one within the past 14 days. The label says this includes MAOIs such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue, because of the risk of a hypertensive crisis (dangerously high blood pressure).

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your healthcare provider about any heart problems, heart disease, heart defects, or high blood pressure, including a family history of these.
• •Tell your healthcare provider about any mental health problems, including psychosis, mania, bipolar illness, or depression, and about any family history of suicide, bipolar illness, or depression.
• •Tell your healthcare provider about circulation problems in the fingers and toes.
• •Tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney problems. The label says your provider may lower the dose.
• •Tell your healthcare provider if you have or had tics, or Tourette's syndrome, or a family history of them.
• •Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever abused or depended on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.
• •Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
• •Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take, including over-the-counter products and supplements.
• •The label says the medicine may not be right for everyone. Your healthcare provider will decide whether it fits your needs.

🔀 Amphetamine with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): The label says they must not be given during or within 14 days after MAOI use. Interaction can cause headaches, signs of hypertensive crisis, and rarely toxic neurological effects.
• •Serotonergic drugs, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and triptans: These increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. The label says the prescriber should watch closely, especially when starting or raising the dose.
• •Tricyclic antidepressants: The label says they may enhance the effects of amphetamine and increase heart-related effects. The prescriber should monitor closely.
• •Medicines that change urine pH: The label says acidifying agents can lower amphetamine blood levels, and alkalinizing agents, including gastrointestinal alkalinizing agents, can raise them. The label says alkalinizing agents should be avoided with this medicine.
• •Lab tests: The label says amphetamines can raise plasma corticosteroid levels, with the greatest increase in the evening. Tell any lab or healthcare team that you take this medicine.

Alcohol and food

The label says the tablet may be taken with or without food. The label excerpt provided does not mention alcohol.

🤰 Amphetamine in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says studies have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects or miscarriage in pregnant women using amphetamines. However, babies exposed in the womb may have withdrawal symptoms after birth. Premature delivery and low birth weight have been seen in infants of mothers who took amphetamines during pregnancy. Animal studies showed effects on offspring at clinically relevant doses. Talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits.

Breastfeeding

The label does not say.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label says to keep the medicine in a safe place, preferably locked, to prevent theft or misuse. Do not give it to anyone else. Dispose of any unused medicine properly. The full storage temperature instructions are not included in the label excerpt provided.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says overdose of CNS stimulants can cause fast or irregular heartbeat, high or low blood pressure, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, serotonin syndrome, seizures, stroke, coma, dangerously high body temperature (above 104 degrees F), and muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis). Sudden cardiac death may also occur. The label says to consider whether more than one drug was taken. Overdose is a medical emergency, so seek emergency help right away.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Amphetamine

• Am I a good candidate for this medicine given my heart health, blood pressure, and mental health history?
• Should I be screened for my risk of abuse, misuse, or addiction before starting, and how often will you check it?
• How will you monitor my blood pressure, heart rate, and growth (if I am a child)?
• Are any of my current medicines, including antidepressants or over-the-counter products, unsafe with this medicine?
• What should I do if I notice new mood changes, unusual thoughts, or tics?
• How should I store this medicine safely at home, and how do I dispose of unused tablets?
• What should I do if I think I or my child took too much?

❓ Amphetamine: frequently asked questions