Has your doctor prescribed amphetamine for you or your child? It could be ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), which is a condition that makes it difficult to focus and stay in one place for a short while. Or it could be Narcolepsy, which causes excessive sleepiness. It's normal to feel a little nervous and have a lot of questions when you hear the name of this drug. So today, let's talk about it simply, in a way that you can understand.
What exactly is this drug called Amphetamine?
Simply put, amphetamine is a stimulant drug. It is mainly used to treat the two conditions we discussed earlier, ADHD and narcolepsy . Sometimes, under the supervision of a doctor, along with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, this drug is also used for short-term weight loss.
This is very important: This medicine is controlled by law. This means that it is strictly forbidden to give it to or use it by anyone other than the person for whom the doctor prescribed it. Therefore, never share this medicine with anyone else. And do not use it for a condition for which it was not prescribed.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before you start this medication, it is very important to tell your doctor your complete health history. Especially if you have any of the following conditions.
| Your health condition | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Heart disease, high blood pressure, or blockage of blood vessels in the heart | This medication can increase heart rate and blood pressure. |
| Mental illness (anxiety, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts) | This medication can worsen existing mental conditions. |
| A history of drug or alcohol addiction | This is a potentially addictive drug, so extreme caution is required. |
| Glaucoma, thyroid disease, seizures | The medication can adversely affect these conditions. |
| Kidney or liver disease | These organs affect the process of removing the drug from the body. |
| Tourette's syndrome | This medication can cause 'tics', or involuntary movements. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant, breastfeeding | This medicine can affect the baby in the womb and through breast milk. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
- Take this pill with a glass of water. Try to take it at the same time every day , exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
- If you are using this for weight loss, take it 30-60 minutes before a main meal.
- Continue using this until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop suddenly.
- If you give this medicine to children, especially those under the age of 3, you need to be very careful. Follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, 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 the same time.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What are the things to be careful about when taking medicine?
- Regular medical check-ups: Since this is a controlled drug, you need to see your doctor regularly to check how you are doing. When you run out of medication, you need to get a new prescription from your doctor every time.
- Difficulty concentrating: This medication may affect your concentration or make you feel tired. Therefore, stay away from activities that require mental concentration, such as driving, cycling, or using machinery, until you know exactly how this medication affects you.
- Loss of appetite: It is common to experience a loss of appetite when starting this medication. To address this, you can eat smaller meals several times a day instead of eating large meals at once. If a child is being given this medication, the doctor will regularly check to see if their height and weight are gaining properly.
- Before surgery: If you are going to have surgery, an MRI, or a CT scan, be sure to tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine. You may need to stop taking the medicine for a few days before the procedure.
If you develop unexplained sores on your fingertips or toes, experience numbness, pain, skin discoloration, or sensitivity to temperature, inform your doctor immediately.
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some of them are serious, some are common. It's important to be aware of these.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| ⚫ Allergies (skin rash, itching, swelling of the face/lips) | ⚫ Chest pain or tightness |
| ⚫ Difficulty breathing | ⚫ Rapid or irregular heartbeat |
| ⚫ Severe headache, seizures | ⚫ Difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance |
| ⚫ Mental confusion, difficulty speaking, hallucinations | ⚫ Suicidal thoughts or other mental changes |
| ⚫ Uncontrolled movements of the head, mouth, neck, arms, or legs | ⚫ For men: prolonged painful erection |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| ⚫ Minor headache | ⚫ Difficulty sleeping |
| ⚫ Loss of appetite and weight loss | ⚫ Nausea, vomiting |
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Tell your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements you are taking. Do not take this medicine with MAOIs , which are used to treat depression. It can also interact with some medications for blood pressure, mental illness, and seizures.
How to keep medicine safe?
This is very important. There is a risk of abuse of this medicine.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Keep it in a safe, lockable place to protect against theft.
- Dispose of expired medication properly.
Always remember that distributing or selling this is dangerous and illegal.
Take-Home Message
- Amphetamine is a strictly controlled drug that should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor.
- Do not share this medicine with anyone other than the person who prescribed it.
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and other medications you are taking.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe mental changes, seek medical advice immediately.
- Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children.
- If you have any further questions about this medication, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.
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