Generic name: Amphetamine
Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data not available
What is Amphetamine Sulfate?
Amphetamine is a stimulant medicine that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Some brands of amphetamine are for children 6 years and older. Evekeo can be used in children as young as 3 years old.
Evekeo is also used to treat narcolepsy in adults and children at least 6 years old, or obesity in adults and children at least 12 years old who have not lost weight with diets or other treatments.
Evekeo ODT is used only to treat ADHD in children at least 6 years old.
Amphetamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not use amphetamine if you are allergic to any stimulant medicine, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine.
You may not be able to use amphetamine if you have:
- chest pain or breathing problems caused by heart disease;
- hardening of the arteries;
- moderate to severe high blood pressure;
- overactive thyroid;
- a history of drug abuse; or
- if you are agitated.
Stimulants have caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in certain people. Tell your doctor if you have:
- heart problems or a congenital heart defect;
- high blood pressure; or
- a family history of heart disease or sudden death.
Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has had:
- depression, mental illness, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts or actions;
- problems with drug or alcohol abuse;
- motor tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome;
- a thyroid disorder;
- seizures or epilepsy;
- an abnormal brain wave test (electroencephalogram; EEG);
- coronary artery disease (clogged arteries);
- blood circulation problems in the hands or feet; or
- kidney disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking amphetamine during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature birth or low birth weight. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of amphetamine on the baby.
Do not breastfeed.
How should I use Amphetamine Sulfate
Use Amphetamine Sulfate (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Amphetamine may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Keep the medicine in a safe place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Do not use this medicine more often than prescribed.
You may take amphetamine with or without food.
Dynavel XR tablets may be chewed if not able to swallow.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid). Measure a dose with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package with dry hands only when you are ready to use the medicine. Allow the orally disintegrating tablet to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Avoid medication errors by using only the medicine your doctor prescribes.
Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis and may need medical tests to check your heart function. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.
Store this medicine in the original container at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Do not keep leftover medicine. Ask your pharmacist about a drug take-back program. You may also mix the leftover medicine with cat litter or coffee grounds in a sealed plastic bag and throw the bag in the trash.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, but not late in the day. Skip the missed dose if it is almost evening. Do not take two doses at one time.
Amphetamine Sulfate side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- signs of heart problems--chest pain, trouble breathing, feeling like you might pass out;
- signs of psychosis--hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), new behavior problems, aggression, hostility, paranoia;
- signs of circulation problems--numbness, pain, cold feeling, unexplained wounds, or skin color changes (pale, red, or blue appearance) in your fingers or toes;
- a seizure (convulsions);
- muscle twitches (tics);
- increased blood pressure or heart rate; or
- changes in your vision.
Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Amphetamine can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.
Common side effects may include:
- increased heart rate;
- mood changes, anxiety, feeling restless or nervous;
- trouble sleeping;
- dry mouth, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
- loss of appetite, weight loss;
- sexual problems (impotence in males);
- headache, dizziness; or
- itching.
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.
What other drugs will affect Amphetamine Sulfate?
Avoid drinking fruit juices such as cranberry juice or taking vitamin C at the same time you take amphetamine. These can make your body absorb less of this medicine.
Avoid drinking alcohol.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.