Are you aware of a medication for ADHD? (Amphetamine; Dextroamphetamine)

If your doctor has told you or your child that you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you may have been prescribed this medication. It has two names: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Don't worry, these names may sound a bit complicated. Let's talk about it simply, in a way that you can understand. Let's take a look at what it's for, how to use it, and what you need to watch out for.

What really happens with this medicine?

Simply put, this medication is mainly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) . It works by activating certain parts of the brain to help maintain focus and control impulsive, restless behavior.

In addition, this medicine is sometimes used to treat a condition called narcolepsy , which causes sudden sleepiness. This medicine helps to keep the body and mind awake. This medicine belongs to a class of drugs called stimulants .

Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication

When talking to your doctor about this medicine, it is important to mention any of the following if you or your child have any of the following conditions. This information will help your doctor give you the safest treatment.

• If you have anxiety or panic attacks.
• Problems that reduce blood flow to the limbs and fingers, for example, conditions like Raynaud's syndrome.
• Glaucoma is a disease in which the pressure in the eye increases.
• If you have had a heart attack before.
• Any other heart disease.
• High blood pressure.
• Kidney or liver disease.
• Other mental health problems (e.g. depression, bipolar disorder).
• Seizure disorders such as epilepsy.
• If you have had a previous stroke.
• Substance use disorder.
• If you or someone in your family is thinking about or has attempted suicide.
• Thyroid diseases.
• A condition in which parts of the body move involuntarily without control, such as Tourette syndrome.
• If you have an allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
• If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.

How exactly do you use this medicine?

Your doctor will tell you exactly how to use this medicine. It is very important to follow those instructions exactly.

• This pill is to be taken by mouth. Try to take it at the same time every day, as prescribed by your doctor.
• You can take it with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
• Continue taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Never stop taking it on your own.
• Special care should be taken when giving this medicine to children. Sometimes it is prescribed to children as young as 3 years old. However, there are special precautions.

What to do if you take too much medicine?

If you have even the slightest suspicion that you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

What if I miss a dose of medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.

Other things that may interact with this medicine

Some medications may interact with this medicine, so it is important to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking.

Never take this medicine with:

• Linezolid
• MAOI medications (e.g. Marplan, Nardil, Parnate)
• Methylene blue

These things can react:

• Acetazolamide
• Alcohol
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
• Some medications for mental illnesses like depression and anxiety
• Some medications for migraines (e.g. sumatriptan)
• Some painkillers, especially those in the opioid class
• Sodium bicarbonate
• Herbal products like St. John's wort
• Some other medications

This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about every medicine, vitamin, herbal product (supplement), and traditional medicine you take. Also, don't forget to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.

Things to keep in mind when taking medication

• See your doctor regularly: After starting the medication, go to your doctor at regular intervals as directed and tell him/her about your condition. Tell him/her if your symptoms are not improving or if they are getting worse.
• Risk of addiction: This medication has the potential to be addictive. Therefore, use only the dose prescribed by your doctor, and only as directed. Never increase the dose on your own. Sometimes your doctor may ask you to take a break from the medication during weekends or holidays. Talk to your doctor about this.
• Effects on sleep: This medication may make it difficult to fall asleep if taken in the evening or at night. Therefore, it is best to take it in the morning as advised by your doctor.
• Loss of appetite: You may experience loss of appetite when you first start taking this medicine. You can try to eat smaller meals several times a day instead of eating large meals. If this continues, tell your doctor. If a child is taking this medicine, it is important to monitor their height and weight regularly .
• Changes in fingers: If you experience any unusual sores, numbness, pain, skin color changes (pale, blue, red), or sensitivity to cold in your fingers or toes while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
• Painful erection: If a man experiences an erection that lasts more than 4 hours or is painful, it could be a serious condition. Go to an emergency room (ETU) immediately to prevent permanent damage.

What are the possible side effects?

Like any medicine, this one can cause some side effects. The table below clearly shows them.

How to store and dispose of medicine safely?

• Keep away from children and pets. This medicine is very dangerous for them.
• Because there is a risk of addiction to this medication, keep it locked in a safe place to protect it from theft.
• Store the bottle tightly closed at room temperature (between 20-25 Celsius), away from light and moisture.
• It is very important to properly dispose of expired or no longer needed medications. There are two ways to do this:

1. Some pharmacies or hospitals have programs to take back old medications. Check them out.

2. If this is not possible, remove the tablets from the bottle, mix them with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, put them in a sealable bag or container, and throw them in the trash. Never flush this medicine down the toilet.

Amphetamine, Dextroamphetamine, Adderall, ADHD Sinhala, Attention Deficit Disorder, Narcolepsy, Stimulant Drugs