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| Pronunciation |
|
 (meth
am FET a
meen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Desoxyn®; Desoxyn®
Gradumet® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Stimulant |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to another stimulant, methamphetamine, or any
other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Severe coronary artery
disease, moderate to severe high blood pressure, over-active thyroid gland,
glaucoma, agitation, history of drug abuse.
- If you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (isocarboxazid,
phenelzine, tranylcypromine) in the last 14 days.
- Do not give stimulants to children with attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorders and Tourette's syndrome or
tics.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat attention deficit disorder and obesity.
- Another use may be treatment of
narcolepsy.
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|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Methamphetamine acts as a stimulant in adults and has a stabilizing
effect in children with attention deficit disorder. This medicine acts on the
brain and decreases appetite this
way.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take early in the day to avoid sleep problems.
- Swallow sustained-release tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or
crush.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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|
- This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Do not use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. These include
isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. Separate use by 2 weeks. This
combination can cause life-threatening high blood pressure.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that may affect blood pressure.
This includes cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Lightheadedness. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that
require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- It may also prevent you from knowing how tired you really are.
- Nervousness, restlessness, or inability to sleep.
- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood pressure regularly.
- If for weight loss, follow diet plan and exercise program as
recommended by healthcare provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Very nervous and excitable.
- Severe headache.
- Chest pains or fast
heartbeats.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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