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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 |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat attention deficit disorder and obesity.
- Another use may be treatment of
narcolepsy.
|
|
|
| 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? |
|
|
- Take early in the day to avoid sleep problems.
- Swallow sustained-release tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or
crush.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| 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.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check blood pressure regularly.
- If for weight loss, follow diet plan and exercise program as
recommended by healthcare provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- 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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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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