This medication is used to treat attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder - ADHD. It works by changing the amounts of certain
natural substances in the brain. Amphetamine belongs to a class of drugs
known as stimulants. It can help increase your ability to pay attention,
stay focused on an activity, and control behavior problems. It may also
help you to organize your tasks and improve listening
skills.
This section contains uses of this drug that are not
listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be
prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition
that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your
health care professional.
This drug may also be used for a certain sleeping
disorder (narcolepsy). It should not be used to treat tiredness or to hold
off sleep in people who do not have a sleep disorder.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist
before you start taking amphetamine and each time you get a refill. If you
have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
There are different brands and forms of this medication
available. Not all have the same effects. Do not change brands or forms
without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. The tablet(s)
may be chewed or swallowed whole. Taking this medication late in the day
may cause trouble sleeping (insomnia).
The dosage is based on your medical condition and
response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may
direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase
your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
During treatment, your doctor may sometimes stop the
medication for a short time to see if the medication is still
needed.
Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or
for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and
your risk of side effects will increase.
If you suddenly stop using this medication, you may have
withdrawal symptoms (such as severe tiredness, sleep problems, mental/mood
changes like depression). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower
your dose slowly. Withdrawal is more likely if you have used this
medication for a long time or in high doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist
right away if you have withdrawal.
When this medication is used for a long time, it may not
work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working
well.
Though it helps many people, this medication may
sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance
use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this
medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your
doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Tell your doctor if you do not get better or if you get
worse.
Loss of appetite, weight loss, dry mouth, stomach
upset/pain, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, fever,
nervousness, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects last or
get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check
your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are
high.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- signs of blood flow problems in the fingers or toes (such as
coldness, numbness, pain, or skin color changes)
- unusual wounds on the fingers or toes
- mental/mood/behavior changes (such as agitation, aggression,
mood swings, depression, abnormal thoughts, thoughts of suicide)
- uncontrolled movements (such as twitching, shaking)
- outbursts of words/sounds that are hard to control
- vision changes (such as blurred vision)
- change in sexual ability/desire
- frequent/prolonged erections (in males)
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- fainting
- seizures
- severe headache
- fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat
- symptoms of a heart attack (such as chest/jaw/left arm pain,
shortness of breath, unusual sweating)
- symptoms of a stroke (such as weakness on one side of the
body, trouble speaking, sudden vision changes, confusion)
This medication may increase serotonin and rarely cause
a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. The risk
increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so
tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take (see Drug
Interactions section). Get medical help right away if you develop some of
the following symptoms:
- fast heartbeat
- hallucinations
- loss of coordination
- severe dizziness
- severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
- twitching muscles
- unexplained fever
- unusual agitation/restlessness
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other sympathomimetic drugs
(such as lisdexamfetamine, dextroamphetamine); or if you have any other
allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause
allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- high blood pressure
- stroke
- personal or family history of heart problems (such as
irregular heartbeat, heart attack, heart failure, heart valve
problem)
- blood circulation problems (such as Raynaud's disease)
- glaucoma
- personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such
as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol)
- personal or family history of mental/mood disorders (such as
bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis, suicidal thoughts)
- personal or family history of uncontrolled muscle movements
(such as motor tics, Tourette's syndrome)
- overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- seizures
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Children (especially those younger than 6) may be more
sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially weight loss. This
medication may slow down a child's growth. To reduce this risk, the doctor
may recommend stopping the medication from time to time. Check your child's
height and weight regularly. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more
details.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of this drug, especially chest pain, trouble sleeping, or weight
loss.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Infants born to mothers who are dependent on this medication may be born
too soon (premature) and have low birth weight. They may also have
withdrawal symptoms. Tell your doctor right away if you notice possible
mood changes, agitation, or unusual tiredness in your
newborn.
This medication passes into breast milk and may have
undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breastfeeding is not recommended
while using this medication. Consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a
serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors
(isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide,
phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline,
tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors
should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this
medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this
medication.
Some products have ingredients that could raise your
heart rate or blood pressure. Tell your pharmacist what products you are
using, and ask how to use them safely (especially cough-and-cold products
or diet aids).
The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases if you
are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Examples include
street drugs such as MDMA/ "ecstasy," St. John's wort, certain
antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, SNRIs such
as duloxetine/venlafaxine), among others. The risk of serotonin
syndrome/toxicity may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of
these drugs.
Amphetamine is very similar to dextroamphetamine and
lisdexamfetamine. Do not use medications containing dextroamphetamine or
lisdexamfetamine while using amphetamine.
This medication may interfere with certain medical/lab
tests (such as blood and urine steroid levels, brain scan for Parkinson's
disease), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and
all your doctors know you use this drug.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe
mental/mood changes, seizures, severe headache, severe restlessness, fast
breathing.
Do not share this medication with others. Sharing it is
against the law.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure, heart
rate, height/weight in children) may be done while you are taking this
medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for
more details.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember in
the morning hours. If it is after noon or near the time of the next dose,
skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not
double the dose to catch up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.