What is amphetamine and dextroamphetamine?
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant. It affects
chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine is used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amphetamine and dextroamphetamine?
Do not take this medication 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
amphetamine and dextroamphetamine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amphetamine and
dextroamphetamine or if you have:
-
heart disease or moderate to severe high blood pressure
(hypertension);
-
arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries);
-
overactive thyroid;
-
glaucoma;
-
severe anxiety, tension, or agitation; or
-
if you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and adolescents
with serious heart problems or congenital heart defects.
Before using amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs, or if you have:
-
a congenital heart defect;
-
high blood pressure;
-
heart failure, heart rhythm disorder, or recent heart attack;
-
a personal or family history of mental illness, psychotic
disorder, bipolar illness, depression, or suicide attempt;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
-
tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. It could
also cause premature birth, low birth weight, or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes
amphetamine and dextroamphetamine during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant during treatment.
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Long-term use of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can slow a child's growth. Tell your
doctor if the child using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.
How should I take amphetamine and dextroamphetamine?
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 crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It
is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too
much of the drug to be released at one time.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to see you on a
regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.
Store amphetamine and dextroamphetamine at room temperature away from moisture,
heat, and light.
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine is a drug of abuse and may be habit-forming. Keep
track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. You should be aware if
any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Using
this medication improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.
What happens if I miss a dose of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine?
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.
Where can I get more information about amphetamine and dextroamphetamine?
Your pharmacist has information about amphetamine and dextroamphetamine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine?
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 amphetamine and dextroamphetamine 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).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
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.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about amphetamine and dextroamphetamine?
Do not take this medication 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
amphetamine and dextroamphetamine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, 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.
Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and adolescents with serious heart
problems or congenital heart defects. Before taking amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, tell your
doctor if you have any type of heart problems.
Long-term use of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can slow a child's growth. Tell your
doctor if the child using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine is a drug of abuse and may be habit-forming. Keep
track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. You should be aware if
any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Using
this medication improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.
What should I avoid while taking amphetamine and dextroamphetamine?
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking
or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Do not take amphetamine and dextroamphetamine late in the day. A dose taken too late in the
day can cause sleep problems (insomnia).
Avoid drinking fruit juices or taking vitamin C at the same time you take amphetamine and
dextroamphetamine. These can make your body absorb less of the medicine.
What other drugs will affect amphetamine and dextroamphetamine?
Before taking amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the
following drugs:
-
blood pressure medications;
-
a diuretic (water pill);
-
cold or allergy medicines (antihistamines);
-
acetazolamide (Diamox);
-
chlorpromazine (Thorazine);
-
ethosuximide (Zarontin);
-
guanethidine (Ismelin);
-
haloperidol (Haldol);
-
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
-
methenamine (Hiprex, Mandelamine, Urex);
-
phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
-
propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet);
-
reserpine;
-
sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer); or
-
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine
(Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or
nortriptyline (Pamelor).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine?
