WARNING
The combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or take it for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor. If you take too much dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, you may continue to feel a need to take large amounts of the medication, and you may experience unusual changes in your behavior. You or your caregiver should tell your doctor immediately, if you experience any of the following symptoms: fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat; sweating; dilated pupils; abnormally excited mood; restlessness; irritability; difficulty falling sleeping or staying asleep; hostility; aggression; anxiety; loss of appetite; loss of coordination; uncontrollable movement of a part of the body; flushed skin; vomiting; stomach pain; or thinking about harming or killing oneself or others or planning or trying to do so. Overusing dextroamphetamine and amphetamine may also cause serious heart problems or sudden death.
Inform your doctor if you or any members of your family regularly use excessive amounts of alcohol, use street drugs, or abuse prescription pharmaceuticals. Most likely, dextroamphetamine and amphetamine won’t be prescribed to you by your doctor.
Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine should not be stopped abruptly without consulting your doctor, especially if you have abused the drugs. Your dose will likely be gradually reduced by your doctor, who will also closely watch you during this period. If you abruptly cease taking dextroamphetamine and amphetamine after using it excessively, you could experience severe depression and exhaustion.
Avoid sharing, selling, or allowing others to use your medication. Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine are illegal to sell or distribute because they can be harmful to other people. Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine should be kept in a secure location to prevent accidental or intentional consumption by others. Count the remaining tablets or capsules so you can identify any missing ones.
When you start therapy with dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, as well as each time you acquire extra medication, your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information leaflet (Medication Guide). If you have any questions, carefully read the material and contact your doctor or pharmacist. The Medication Guide is also available on the manufacturer’s website or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.
Why is this medication prescribed?
Adderall, Adderall XR, and Mydayis are medications that include dextroamphetamine and amphetamine and are used in conjunction to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; more difficulty focusing, controlling actions, and remaining still or quiet than other people who are the same age). Adults and kids aged three and older who have ADHD are treated with adderall. Adults and kids aged six and older who have ADHD are treated with Adderall XR. Adults and kids aged 13 and older who have ADHD are treated with Mydayis. Narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and unexpected sleep attacks in adults and children 12 years of age and older, is also treated with dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall). The drug class known as central nervous system stimulants includes the combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It functions by altering the concentrations of specific organic compounds in the brain.
How should this medicine be used?
Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine are combined and are available as immediate-release tablets (Adderall) and extended-release (long-acting) capsules (Adderall XR, Mydayis). With or without food, the immediate-release pill (Adderall) is often taken two to three times per day, spaced four to six hours apart. Usually taken with or without breakfast, the extended-release Adderall XR capsule is taken first thing in the morning. The extended-release capsule (Mydayis) must be routinely taken with or without meals, and is typically taken right after waking up. It is not advisable to take a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine in the late afternoon or evening since it may make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine should be taken exactly as prescribed.
Do not chew or shatter the extended-release capsules; instead, swallow them whole. The extended-release capsule’s complete contents can be opened and sprinkled on a teaspoon of applesauce if you are unable to take it. Do not chew this combination; immediately swallow it. Do not divide the contents of a capsule into multiple doses or preserve the combination of applesauce and medication for later use.
Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine will likely be prescribed to you at a low starting dose by your doctor, who will then progressively raise it up to once per week.
Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine may occasionally be prescribed to you by your doctor in order to determine whether you still require the drug. Pay close attention to these guidelines.
One dextroamphetamine and amphetamine product cannot be swapped for another because the drug in each product is absorbed by the body differently. Your doctor will recommend the dose that is most suitable for you if you are transitioning from one product to another.
Other uses for this medicine
It is not recommended to use dextroamphetamine and amphetamine together to treat extreme fatigue that is not related to narcolepsy.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you think you might need this drug for something else.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking dextroamphetamine and amphetamine,
- Amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, other stimulant medications such benzphetamine, lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), or methamphetamine (Desoxyn), any other medications, or any of the chemicals in dextroamphetamine and amphetamine preparations should all be disclosed to your doctor and pharmacist. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), methylene blue, phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine should be mentioned to your doctor if you are currently taking any of these medications or have stopped taking them within the previous 14 days (Parnate). You should wait at least 14 days after stopping dextroamphetamine and amphetamine before beginning to take an MAO inhibitor.
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking. Acetazolamide (Diamox), alpha blockers such alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), tamsulosin (Flomax, in Jalyn), and terazosin, and make sure to mention any of the following, antidepressants (also known as “mood elevators”), antihistamines (medications for colds and allergies), ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), and other antacids and medications for heartburn or ulcers like cimetidine (Tagamet), esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec, in Zegerid), and pantoprazole (Protonix); buspirone, chlorpromazine, fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Subsys, and others); guanethidine (no longer available in the United States); lithium (Lithobid); meperidine (Demerol); and methenamine (Hiprex, Urex); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor Toprol XL) , such as zolmitriptan (Zomig), sumatriptan (Imitrex, in Treximet), eletriptan (Relpax), naratriptan (Amerge), frovatriptan (Frova), and rizatriptan (Maxalt); quinidine (in Nuedexta); reserpine, ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), some seizure medications like ethosuximide (Zarontin), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Sym (Cymbalta), milnacipran (Savella) and venlafaxine (Effexor), sodium phosphate, some thiazide diuretics (‘water pills,’ tramadol (Conzip, in Ultracet), and tricyclic antidepressants (‘mood elevators,’ such as desipramine (Norpramin) or protriptyline, as well as sodium bicarbonate (Arm and Hammer Baking Soda, Soda Mint (Vivactil). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
- Inform your doctor about any nutritional supplements, such as glutamic acid, that you are taking, especially St. John’s wort and tryptophan (L-glutamine).
- Inform your doctor if you experience symptoms of worry, stress, or agitation, hyperthyroidism (a condition in which there is an excess of thyroid hormone in the body), or glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye that may result in visual loss). Most likely, your doctor will advise against using amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.
- Inform your doctor if anyone in your family has ever experienced a sudden death or has an abnormal heartbeat. Additionally, let your doctor know if you have or have had had a heart defect, high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, artery hardening, heart illness, blood vessel disease, or any other cardiac issues. Your heart and blood vessels will be checked by your doctor during the examination. If you have a heart issue or there is a strong likelihood that you will develop a heart condition, your doctor will likely advise you not to use dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
- Inform your doctor if you or anyone in your family has ever experienced depression, bipolar disorder (a condition characterised by mood swings between depressed and abnormally excited), mania, motor tics, verbal tics, or Tourette’s syndrome (a condition characterised by the need to perform repetitive motions or to repeat sounds or words), or if you have ever considered or tried suicide. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease, seizures, liver or kidney disease, mental illness, or an abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG).
- If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. While taking dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, avoid breastfeeding.
- If you are 65 years of age or older, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of taking dextroamphetamine and amphetamine with your doctor. Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine are often not recommended for usage in older persons since they are less safe than alternative treatments for the same disease.
- It’s important to be aware that taking this medication may make it challenging for you to accomplish tasks that call for concentration or fine motor skills. Prior to understanding how this drug affects you, avoid using machinery or driving a car.
- Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine must be utilised as a part of an all-encompassing treatment plan for ADHD, which may include involve counselling and specialised instruction. Ensure that you adhere to all recommendations from your therapist or doctor.
- You should be aware that dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, particularly in children and teenagers with significant heart conditions or heart abnormalities, can result in rapid death. Adults taking this medication, particularly those with major cardiac issues or heart deformities, run the risk of experiencing sudden death, heart attacks, or stroke. If you or your child has any symptoms of heart problems while taking this drug, such as chest discomfort, breathlessness, or fainting, contact your doctor straight away and seek emergency care.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
If you forget to take your morning dose of the extended-release capsule, skip it and take your next dose at the scheduled time the following day. Do not take another dose at a later time. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may have negative side effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:
- Nervousness
- Headache
- Alterations in sex desire or capacity
- Menstrual cramps that hurt
- Mouth ache
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Loss of weight
Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you encounter any of the symptoms below or those in the IMPORTANT WARNING section:
- Slow or challenging speech
- Dizziness
- Arm or leg weakness or numbness
- Seizures
- Verbal or motor tics
- Crushing of teeth
- Crushing of teeth
- Having false beliefs
- Feeling unusually wary of other people
- Hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
- Agitation, sweating excessively, confusion, rapid heartbeat, shivering, extremely rigid or twitching muscles, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, Hallucinations (seeing or hearing objects or voices that aren’t there) or diarrhoea
- Mania (frenzied or overly exuberant emotion)
- Eyesight alterations or blurry vision
- Fingers or toes that are pale or have a blue tint
- Hands or feet with pain, numbness, burning, or tingling
- Unidentified cuts on the fingers or toes
- Skin that is stinging or peeling
- Rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Eye, face, tongue, or throat swelling
- Breathing or swallowing challenges
- Hoarseness
Children and teenagers who have heart abnormalities or major cardiac conditions are especially vulnerable to sudden mortality from dextroamphetamine and amphetamine use. Adults taking this medicine, particularly those with major cardiac conditions or heart abnormalities, are at risk for sudden death, heart attacks, and stroke. If you or your child has chest pain, breathlessness, or fainting while taking this medication, contact your doctor straight away. The dangers of using this drug should be discussed with your doctor.
Children’s growth and weight gain may be slowed by dextroamphetamine and amphetamine use. The physician for your child will keep a close eye on their development. If you are worried about your child’s weight gain or growth while taking this medicine, talk to your child’s doctor. The hazards of providing dextroamphetamine and amphetamine to your child should be discussed with their doctor.
You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it at ambient temperature and shield it from light, too much heat, and moisture (not in the bathroom).
As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org
Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.
In case of emergency/overdose
Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.
Overdose signs could include the following:
- Restlessness
- Confusion
- aggressive attitude
- Panic attacks
- Hallucination (seeing things or hearing sounds and voices that do not exist)
- rapid respiration
- body part shaking that is uncontrollable
- Fever
- pee with cola or dark red colouring
- weakness or pain in the muscles
- weakness or weariness
- Depression
- Rapid or erratic heartbeat
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Distorted vision
- Stomach pains and vomiting
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)
What other information should I know?
Keep all of your appointments with the lab and your doctor. To determine how dextroamphetamine and amphetamine affect your body, your doctor may request specific lab tests.
Inform the lab staff and your doctor that you are taking dextroamphetamine and amphetamine prior to any laboratory test.
This medication cannot be renewed. In order to prevent running out of medication, make sure you plan regular doctor’s appointments.
You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.
Brand names
- Mydayis® (as a combination product containing Amphetamine, Dextroamphetamine)