methamphetamine

Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources

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Uses:

Methamphetamine is a stimulant and is used to treat a certain attention disorder (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-ADHD) in children older than 6 years. It is used as part of a total treatment plan, including psychological, educational, and social treatments. It may help increase the ability to pay attention, concentrate, and stop fidgeting. This medication is also used along with a doctor-approved, reduced-calorie diet as an aid to help significantly overweight (obese) people lose weight. It should only be used for a short time (a few weeks) in patients who have not lost enough weight with other treatments (e.g., dieting, other drugs, group programs). It may work by decreasing your appetite. This medication should not be used to treat tiredness or to hold off sleep in people who do not have a sleep disorder.

Side Effects

Dry mouth, nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she 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. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: blurred vision, swelling of ankles/feet, rapid/unexplained weight loss, fast/irregular heartbeat, mental/mood/behavior changes (e.g., agitation, aggression, mood swings, depression, abnormal thoughts), uncontrolled movements (e.g., muscle twitching/shaking), outbursts of words/sounds, change in sexual ability/interest. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: shortness of breath, chest/jaw/left arm pain, fainting, seizures, blurred vision, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, confusion. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention 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. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
The information contained in the First DataBank databases is intended to supplement the knowledge of physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals regarding drug therapy problems and patient counselling information. This information is advisory only and is not intended to replace sound clinical judgment in the delivery of healthcare services. First DataBank disclaims all warranties, whether expressed or implied, including any warranty as to the quality, accuracy, and suitability of this information for any purpose.