methamphetamine

What is the most important information I should know about methamphetamine?

Do not use methamphetamine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

You may have blood circulation problems that can cause numbness, pain, or discoloration in your fingers or toes.

What is methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant. It affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.

Methamphetamine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is also to treat obesity in people who have not lost weight with diets or other treatments.

Methamphetamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking methamphetamine?

• moderate to severe high blood pressure;
• heart disease or coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);
• overactive thyroid;
• glaucoma;
• severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (stimulant medicine can make these symptoms worse); or
• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Do not use methamphetamine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

• heart problems or a congenital heart defect;
• high blood pressure; or
• a family history of heart disease or sudden death.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has ever had:

• depression, mental illness, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts or actions;
• motor tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• an abnormal brain wave test (EEG);
• diabetes; or
• blood circulation problems in the hands or feet.

When used to treat obesity, methamphetamine should be used only after other diets or medications have been tried without successful weight loss.

How should I take methamphetamine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If you are taking methamphetamine to treat obesity and your appetite gradually increases, do not increase your dose. Stop taking the medicine and call your doctor.

While using this medicine, your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Keep track of your medicine. Methamphetamine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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 extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include restlessness, tremor, muscle twitches, rapid breathing, hostility, violence, panic, muscle pain or weakness, and dark colored urine. These symptoms may be followed by depression and tiredness. Overdose may also cause seizure or coma.

What should I avoid while taking methamphetamine?

Avoid drinking fruit juices or taking vitamin C at the same time you take methamphetamine. These can make your body absorb less of the medicine.

What are the possible side effects of methamphetamine?

• 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); or
• changes in your vision.

Methamphetamine 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:

• headache or dizziness;
• fast heartbeats;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach;
• tremors; or
• loss of appetite, weight loss.

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 methamphetamine?

Ask your doctor before using a stomach acid medicine (including Alka-Seltzer or sodium bicarbonate). Some of these medicines can change the way your body absorbs methamphetamine, and may increase side effects.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• medication to treat depression or mental illness;
• insulin;
• blood pressure medicine; or
• seizure medicine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with methamphetamine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about methamphetamine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 8.01. Revision date: 7/10/2017.