What is this medication for?
Amphetamine hetamine belongs to the family of medications known as stimulants.
It is used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) and narcolepsy. It helps to increase attention and decrease hyperactivity
in children and adolescents above 3 years of age and adults who have been diagnosed
with ADHD.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those
listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all
of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor
or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do
not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms
as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their
doctor has not prescribed it. Do not stop taking this medication without
consulting your doctor.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Adderall® is available as:
- tablets
- 5 mg
- 7.5 mg
- 12.5 mg
- 15 mg
- 20 mg
- 30 mg
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
The dose of this medication needs to be individualized according to the
needs of the person taking the medication. The starting dose for children
with ADHD aged 3-5 years is 2.5 mg daily. For children 6 years of age and
older with ADHD, the usual starting dose is 5 mg once or twice daily. The
usual dose for narcolepsy ranges from 5 mg to 60 mg per day in divided
doses. Avoid taking the tablets in the late evening, as this may interfere with
sleep.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture,
and keep it out of the reach of children.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as
body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor
has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change
the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your
doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your
regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose
and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose
to make up for a missed one.
Who should NOT take this medication?
This medication should not be taken by anyone who:
- has a history of drug abuse
- has advanced hardening of the arteries
- has an overactive thyroid gland
- has glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
- has heart disease causing noticeable symptoms
- has moderate-to-severe high blood pressure
- is agitated
- is allergic to a group of medications known as sympathomimetics
(e.g., pseudoephedrine, epinephrine)
- is allergic to mixed salts amphetamine hetamine extended-release or any ingredients
of the medication
- is taking an monoamine oxidase inhibitor (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine)
or has taken one in the last 14 days
