Generic name: amphetamine (am FET a meen)
Brand names:
All FDA warnings are at the end of this fact sheet. Please consult them before taking this medication.
Amphetamine medications are also known as stimulants. They include amphetamine sulfate, mixed amphetamine salts, dextroamphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine.
Symptoms of ADHD interfere with an individual’s ability to function at school or work or in social settings and include:
Hyperactivity is less common in adults. A person may have severe inattention without hyperactivity or impulsivity.
Amphetamines are used in addition to non-medication treatments to manage ADHD symptoms.
Although some symptoms may improve within days of starting stimulants, it may take several weeks before you notice the full benefits of the medication.
If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your health care provider to best manage your medications. People living with ADHD who wish to become pregnant face important decisions. There is very little information available regarding the risks of amphetamine medications in pregnancy when taken as prescribed for ADHD. Abuse of amphetamine medication (i.e., taking without a prescription or taking more than prescribed) has been associated with premature delivery, low birth weight, and neonatal withdrawal symptoms. Untreated ADHD may be associated with increased risk of substance use. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers.
Amphetamines are not recommended with breastfeeding according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Amphetamines may concentrate in breast milk and have negative effects on the infant.
These medications are usually taken one to two times per day with or without food.
The dose of amphetamine medication is variable. Only your health care provider can determine the correct dose for you.
Use a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication. You may also ask a family member or friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking you medication.
If you miss a dose of an amphetamine medication, take it as soon as you remember if it is still early in the day. Do not take a missed dose after 5:00 PM, as this may interfere with sleep. Do not take a missed dose of extended-release capsules after 2:00 PM, as this may interfere with sleep. Discuss missed doses with your health care provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed.
Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking this medication. They may decrease the benefits (e.g., worsen your condition) and increase adverse effects (e.g., effects on the heart) of the medication.
If an overdose occurs call your doctor or 911. You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
A specific treatment to reverse the effects of amphetamines does not exist.
Common side effects
Upset stomach, loss of appetite, insomnia, and mild anxiety
Rare side effects
Contact your health care provider if any of the following occur while taking amphetamine medications:
Serious side effects
Misuse of amphetamine medications may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events. Amphetamine medications should be avoided in individuals who have a heart defect (structural abnormality), uncontrolled high blood pressure, or other disorder of heart.
Amphetamines are Schedule II controlled substances. There is a risk of physical and/or emotional dependence when they are taken for long periods of time.
Although treatment with amphetamine medications can slow growth, many studies have shown that these changes are small. Children may catch up with growth over time; therefore, it should not be a concern for most children. Height, weight, and eating habits should be discussed before treatment starts and regularly during treatment. If you are concerned about your child’s growth, discuss other possible treatments with your child’s health care providers.
Medications used to treat depression can interact with amphetamine medications resulting in serious reactions including high body temperature, high blood pressure, and seizures. Tell your health care provider if you are starting or have recently stopped taking any of these medications.
Amphetamines should not be taken with or within 2 weeks of monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressants (MAOIs). MAOIs include phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), selegiline (Emsam®), and isocarboxazid (Marplan®) or the antibiotic linezolid (Zyvox®). Taking amphetamines with or within 2 weeks of MAOIs can result in seizures, fever or dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to death.
The following medications may increase the levels and/or effects of amphetamine medications:
The following foods/medications may decrease the levels and effects of amphetamine medications: ascorbic acid (vitamin C), acidic beverages (e.g., orange juice, grapefruit juice)
Amphetamine medications may decrease the effects of blood pressure medications.
Although you may experience beneficial effects from amphetamine medications within a few days of starting the medication, it often takes several weeks to get the full effect of the medication. Your health care provider may also need to gradually adjust the dose to find the dose that works best for you.
Sudden Cardiac Death
Misuse of amphetamines may cause sudden death or serious cardiovascular adverse events.
Abuse/Dependence
Long-term use of amphetamines may lead to dependence. Physical dependence is when someone experiences withdrawal symptoms (ex: changes in mood, sleep, appetite, agitation) when a medication is suddenly stopped or decreased. Amphetamines also have a high potential for abuse. Abuse is when someone has craving for a drug, limited control over drug use, compulsive use or continued use of that drug despite harm. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of obtaining amphetamines for non-therapeutic use or distribution to others. People being prescribed amphetamine products should store them in a safe (preferably locked) place to prevent abuse.
Long-term use of amphetamines may lead to dependence. Physical dependence is when someone experiences withdrawal symptoms (ex: changes in mood, sleep, appetite, agitation) when a medication is suddenly stopped or decreased. Amphetamines also have a high potential for abuse. Abuse is when someone has craving for a drug, limited control over drug use, compulsive use or continued use of that drug despite harm. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of obtaining amphetamines for non-therapeutic use or distribution to others. People being prescribed amphetamine products should store them in a safe (preferably locked) place to prevent abuse.
Last Reviewed: January 2024
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Important Disclosure: This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions. Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein. The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein.
©2023 The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). AAPP and NAMI make this document available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Last Updated: January 2016.
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