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 used to treat obesity after other diets or medications have been tried without successful weight loss.
Methamphetamine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about methamphetamine?
Do not use methamphetamine 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 methamphetamine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to methamphetamine, 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 methamphetamine, tell your doctor if you have any type of heart problems.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 12 years old without the advice of a doctor.
Long-term use of methamphetamine can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the child using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.
Methamphetamine 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 discuss with my doctor before taking methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Methamphetamine should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Do not use methamphetamine 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 methamphetamine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to methamphetamine 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.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:
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;
diabetes; or
tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Methamphetamine could cause premature birth, low birth weight, or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes methamphetamine during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Methamphetamine 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 methamphetamine can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the child using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 12 years old without the advice of a doctor.