Methamphetamine (By mouth)

Brand Name(s)

Desoxyn

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you or your child have had an allergic reaction to methamphetamine. You should not use this medicine if you have glaucoma, moderate to severe high blood pressure, heart disease, blood vessel problems (clogged or hardened arteries), or an overactive thyroid. Do not use this medicine if you have a history of drug abuse, or if you are very nervous, tense, or agitated most of the time. You should not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI), such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®, within the past 14 days. This medicine should not be given to a child younger than 6 years old unless a doctor tells you to.

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one.
• It is best not to take this medicine late at night because it may cause sleeplessness.
• If you are using this medicine for treatment of obesity, take your dose ½ hour (30 minutes) before your meal.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, or if you or your child have heart or heart rhythm problems, thyroid problems, liver problems, kidney problems, diabetes, or mild high blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you or your child have muscle tics or Tourette's syndrome, a condition that causes you to have muscle twitches or to make sounds you are not able to control.
• Your doctor should know if you or your child have epilepsy, or a history of seizures, depression, or mental illness. Tell your doctor about any drug or alcohol problems. Also tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has tried to commit suicide.
• This medicine may cause slow growth. If your child is using this medicine, the doctor will need to keep track of your child's height and weight to make sure that your child is growing properly.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blurred vision.
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting.
• Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.
• Mood or mental changes, restlessness, or unusual or disturbing thoughts.
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
• Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there.
• Seizures.
• Tremors or shaking.
• Uncontrollable muscle movements or twitching.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Changes in your sexual desire.
• Diarrhea, constipation, or upset stomach.
• Dry mouth or bad taste in your mouth.
• Feeling unusually restless, anxious, or excited.
• Headache or dizziness.
• Loss of appetite or weight loss.
• Men: Unable to have or keep an erection.
• Skin redness or rash.
• Trouble sleeping.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Introduction

Methamphetamine (meth-am-FET-a-meen hye-droe-KLOR-ide)

Treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Also used short-term, along with a low calorie diet, for weight loss in obese patients who have not been able to lose weight on other therapies. This medicine is a stimulant.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using insulin (Humulin®), guanethidine (Ismelin®), blood pressure medicines (such as atenolol, lisinopril, metoprolol, Accupril®, or Cozaar®), medicine to treat seizures (such as Dilantin®, Luminal®, or Mysoline®), medicines to treat depression (such as amitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline, Elavil®, Pamelor®, or Sinequan®), or phenothiazine medicines (such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, or Trilafon®).