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Amphetamine oral tablets

What is this medication?

AMPHETAMINE (am FET a meen) is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a sleep disorder called narcolepsy. It is also used as a short-term treatment, along with a reduced calorie diet and exercise, to help you lose weight. Federal law prohibits giving this medicine to any person other than the person for whom it was prescribed. Do not share this medicine with anyone else. Do not use this medicine for a condition for which it was not prescribed.

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This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Evekeo

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

•anxiety or panic attacks

•circulation problems in fingers and toes

•glaucoma

•hardening or blockages of the arteries or heart blood vessels

•heart disease or a heart defect

•high blood pressure

•history of a drug or alcohol abuse problem

•history of stroke

•kidney disease

•liver disease

•mental illness

•seizures

•suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member

•thyroid disease

•Tourette's syndrome

•an unusual or allergic reaction to dextroamphetamine, other amphetamines, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

•pregnant or trying to get pregnant

•breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. If you are taking this medicine to help you lose weight, take as directed 30 to 60 minutes before meals. Keep taking it unless your health care provider tells you to stop.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

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Talk to your health care provider about the use of this medicine in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 3 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

•MAOIS like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

•other stimulant medicines for attention disorders, weight loss, or to stay awake

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

•acetazolamide

•ammonium chloride

•antacids

•ascorbic acid

•atomoxetine

•caffeine

•certain medicines for blood pressure

•certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

•certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin

•certain medicines for stomach problems like cimetidine, famotidine, omeprazole, lansoprazole

•cold or allergy medicines

•ethosuximide

•glutamic acid

•lithium

•meperidine

•methenamine; sodium acid phosphate

•narcotic medicines for pain

•norepinephrine

•phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

•sodium bicarbonate

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. This prescription requires that you follow special procedures with your doctor and pharmacy. You will need to have a new written prescription from your doctor every time you need a refill.

This medicine may affect your concentration, or hide signs of tiredness. Until you know how this medicine affects you, do not drive, ride a bicycle, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness.

Tell your doctor or health care professional if this medicine loses its effects, or if you feel you need to take more than the prescribed amount. Do not change the dosage without talking to your doctor or health care professional.

Decreased appetite is a common side effect when starting this medicine. Eating small, frequent meals or snacks can help. Talk to your doctor if you continue to have poor eating habits. Height and weight growth of a child taking this medicine will be monitored closely.

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If you are going to need surgery, a MRI, CT scan, or other procedure, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine. You may need to stop taking this medicine before the procedure.

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional right away if you notice unexplained wounds on your fingers and toes while taking this medicine. You should also tell your healthcare provider if you experience numbness or pain, changes in the skin color, or sensitivity to temperature in your fingers or toes.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

•changes in vision

•chest pain or chest tightness

•confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

•fast, irregular heartbeat

•fingers or toes feel numb, cool, painful

•hallucination, loss of contact with reality

•high blood pressure

•males: prolonged or painful erection

•seizures

•severe headaches

•shortness of breath

•suicidal thoughts or other mood changes

•trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

•uncontrollable head, mouth, neck, arm, or leg movements

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

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•anxious

•headache

•loss of appetite

•nausea, vomiting

•trouble sleeping

•weight loss

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.

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