Amphetamine Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term

Both amphetamine and methamphetamine are stimulant drugs that have different effects on your body based on the chemicals that make up each drug. For ADHD, you should notice improved mental and behavioral effects, such as increased attention and decreased impulsiveness and hyperactivity. Some infants born to mothers who are dependent on amphetamine during pregnancy have shown an increased risk of being born premature, having a low birth weight, or showing symptoms of withdrawal. These lists describe the basic or parent chemical and do not describe the salts, isomers, salts of isomers, esters, ethers, and derivatives which may be controlled substances. These are not comprehensive lists so please note that a substance need not be listed as a controlled substance to be treated as a scheduled substance for criminal prosecution. The “Other Names” column, provides some examples of alternate names for certain compounds, and in some instances provides examples of “positional isomers”.

Side Effects of Adderall

Amphetamines are stimulant drugs that speed up how your body functions. Healthcare providers may prescribe amphetamines to people with ADHD or narcolepsy. Providers may also use amphetamines to treat obesity, though this is less common. Amphetamine sulphate, or speed, is also used for recreational and non-medical purposes.

Boxed warning: Risk of drug misuse and dependence

Using amphetamines for a prolonged period of time may lead to drug dependence and must be avoided. Before prescribing amphetamine sulfate, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Children and teenagers who have a heart problem may be at risk of sudden death if they use amphetamines. Other street drugs that are based on the structure of amphetamine include methamphetamine, cathinone, ephedrine, MDMA (ecstasy), and 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM). In rare cases, amphetamines are used alongside standard antidepressants to treat some types of depression that do not respond to other treatments, especially in people who also experience fatigue and apathy. If buying from an unregulated dealer, you cannot be sure what is in the product, which may have other substances added, some of which have their own health risks.

Treatment Options

Many also find it useful to enter support group programs to help manage and understand their addictions. These programs such as 12-Step models like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or other programs like SMART Recovery have meetings across the country and are accessible to people from all walks of life. If your use of amphetamines is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, or you’re concerned about a loved one, you can find help and support.

The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Longer-term studies support the efficacy and safety of methylphenidate when taken as prescribed to treat hyperactivity, but more information is needed to evaluate its long-term effects.

If you or your child already has bipolar disorder, there’s an increased risk of having a mixed or manic episode when taking this drug. Amphetamine is a prescription drug It comes as an oral tablet and extended-release how long do amphetamines stay in your system orally disintegrating tablet, as well as an extended-release oral liquid. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

• If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
• While its behavioral and physiological effects are similar to those of cocaine, there are some major differences in the basic mechanisms of how these drugs work at the cellular level.
• Some people experience a pattern of ‘binge crash’ after amphetamine use.
• You usually do not get addicted to prescription amphetamines when you take them at the right dosage to treat your health condition.

Warnings for Adderall

Certain formulations of amphetamine, typically pseudoephedrine, are used in medications that treat cold symptoms, such as Sudafed, Franssen said. The amphetamine stimulants reduce the swelling of the blood vessels in the nose; this helps open up the airways, allowing for easier breathing. The medications are available without a prescription but are stored behind the pharmacy counter because they can be illegally used to brew methamphetamine, according to the American Council on Science and Health. Amphetamines have been used since then in the development of a variety of drugs, most notably Adderall and Ritalin, which treat ADD and ADHD. Addiction to amphetamines has been an issue since the 1940s, but it escalated in the 1980s with increased illicit production of methamphetamine, a very addictive stimulant known for its euphoric effects. Although the therapeutic mode of action is not fully known, amphetamine is highly efficacious for the reduction of core ADHD symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults.

Edmund has an extensive background in addiction research and medical writing, working collaboratively with doctors, substance use disorder specialists, and clinical experts across all content on Recovered. While withdrawal symptoms from amphetamines may feel insurmountable at first, with proper treatment and dedication they should subside within two weeks. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.