iPsychology

Amphetamine (am FEH ta mean)

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Amphetamine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities.
• Amphetamine is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.
• Do not crush, chew, or open any "once-daily" amphetamine tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole.
• Do not take amphetamine if you:
  • Have heart disease or high blood pressure.
  • Have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
  • Have hyperthyroidism.
  • Have glaucoma.
  • Have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days; or · have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
  • An anxiety disorder
  • Tourette's syndrome or motor or phonic tics.
  • Epilepsy or another seizure disorder or diabetes.
  • You may not be able to take amphetamine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
  • If you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Amphetamine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Do not take amphetamine in the evening because it may cause insomnia.
• Do not crush, chew, or open any "once-daily" (long-acting or sustained-release) amphetamine tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole.
• Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too much amphetamine could be dangerous.
• Amphetamine is habit forming. Physical and psychological dependence and withdrawal effects may occur if it is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.
• Store amphetamine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose or if it is already evening, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. A dose taken too late in the day may cause insomnia. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
• Overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
  • Symptoms of an amphetamine overdose include restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, an irregular heartbeat, and seizures.
• . Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Amphetamine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities.
• Do not take amphetamine late in the day. A dose taken too late in the day can cause insomnia.
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking amphetamine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
  • An allergic reaction ( difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
  • An irregular heartbeat or very high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision).
  • Hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or confusion.
• Less serious side effects. Continue to take amphetamine and talk to your doctor if you experience:
  • Restlessness or tremor
  • Anxiety or nervousness
  • Headache or dizziness
  • Insomnia
  • Dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in the mouth
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Impotence or changes in sex drive
• Amphetamine is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.
• Do not take amphetamine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days.
• Before taking amphetamine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
  • Insulin or another medicine to treat diabetes.
  • Guanethidine (Ismelin) or reserpine (Diutensin-R).
  • Doxazosin (Cardura), terazosin (Hytrin), prazosin (Minipress), or guanadrel(Hylorel).
  • A tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), or desipramine (Norpramin).
  • A phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine).
  • Lithium (Lithobid, Lithonate, Eskalith, others).
  • Haloperidol (Haldol).