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Amphetamine (am FET a meen) is a generic medication prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and obesity. Amphetamine belongs to a group of drugs called stimulants.

Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD on May 30, 2023
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD

Introduction

This article describes amphetamine’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Below you’ll find some coupon options for amphetamine.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of amphetamine. To find coupons for the brand-name versions of amphetamine extended release (ER), see this article.

Boxed warnings

Amphetamine oral tablet has a boxed warning about the risk of drug misuse and dependence. It also has a boxed warning about heart problems or sudden death. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for amphetamine” section below.

Common questions about amphetamine

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about amphetamine.

How does amphetamine compare with other similar drugs, such as dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate?

Amphetamine is a stimulant medication. Other stimulant medications include methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. There are also combination stimulant medications, such as amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall).

Stimulant drugs increase the activity in your central nervous system. And they’re typically prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Stimulant medications usually have similar uses and side effects. But they can affect people differently. Your doctor will work with you to find the one that works best for you. For some people, this can take a few tries.

If you have questions about how amphetamine compares with dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate, talk with your doctor.

Can amphetamine be prescribed for depression?

Possibly. Amphetamine isn’t approved to treat depression. But doctors may prescribe it off-label for this purpose. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a condition other than those it’s been approved for.

In rare cases, doctors may recommend amphetamine for depression that hasn’t responded to other treatments.

To learn more about taking amphetamine for depression, talk with your doctor.

How does amphetamine work? And how long does it take to start working?

Amphetamine is a stimulant that works in the brain. (Stimulants are substances that increase the activity in your central nervous system.) But the exact way how amphetamine helps with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy isn’t clear.

When prescribed for obesity, amphetamine tends to reduce appetite, which can lead to weight loss. But it isn’t clear whether this is the only effect it has or whether it works in another way as well.

Amphetamine will start to work within 30–60 minutes of taking it.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out more about what to expect with amphetamine treatment.

Is weight gain or hair loss a side effect of amphetamine?

No, neither weight gain nor hair loss are expected side effects of amphetamine. They weren’t reported in studies of the drug. (For details about the studies of amphetamine, see the prescribing information, in the “Article resources” section below.)

Talk with your doctor if you experience these side effects after starting amphetamine treatment. They can help determine the most likely cause and suggest ways to manage your symptoms.

Uses of amphetamine

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as amphetamine for certain conditions. Approved uses for amphetamine are described below.

Use for ADHD

Doctors may prescribe amphetamine oral tablet for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s prescribed for this purpose in children ages 3 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

ADHD is a mental health condition that causes hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. In children, symptoms include being severely distracted, overactive, talking too much, or acting without thinking. These symptoms can affect a child’s development. Amphetamine can help increase attention span and reduce impulsiveness.

Doctors may not prescribe amphetamine oral tablet in certain situations. These include if you’ve ever had drug misuse,* heart disease,* high blood pressure, or high thyroid hormone level.

* Amphetamine oral tablet has a boxed warning about the risks of drug misuse and heart problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for amphetamine” section below.

Use for narcolepsy

Doctors may prescribe amphetamine oral tablet for treating narcolepsy. It’s prescribed for this purpose in adults and children ages 12 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With narcolepsy, people have unmanageable sleep attacks. This causes excessive daytime sleepiness. Amphetamine can help people with narcolepsy stay awake.

Doctors may not prescribe amphetamine oral tablet in certain situations. These include if you’ve ever had drug misuse,* heart disease,* high blood pressure, or high thyroid hormone level.

* Amphetamine oral tablet has a boxed warning about the risks of drug misuse and heart problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the FDA. For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for amphetamine” section below.

Use for obesity

Doctors may prescribe amphetamine oral tablet for treating obesity. It’s prescribed for this purpose in adults and children ages 12 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With obesity, you have a body mass index of 30 or more. Amphetamine can help reduce appetite in people with obesity. This can cause them to eat less and manage their weight.

Doctors may not prescribe amphetamine oral tablet in certain situations. These include if you’ve ever had drug misuse,* heart disease,* high blood pressure, or high thyroid hormone.

* Amphetamine oral tablet has a boxed warning about the risks of drug misuse and heart problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the FDA. For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for amphetamine” section below.

Side effects of amphetamine

Amphetamine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of amphetamine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about amphetamine’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information* for amphetamine.

* To view amphetamine’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with amphetamine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about amphetamine’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for amphetamine.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Amphetamine oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• dizziness
• dry mouth
• headache
• trouble sleeping
• mild allergic reaction†

* To view amphetamine’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for amphetamine” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of amphetamine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about amphetamine’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for amphetamine.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, amphetamine’s serious side effects include:

• heart problems, including palpitations (a feeling of skipped or extra heartbeats) and a fast heart rate
• high blood pressure
• psychotic side effects (loss of contact with reality) and other mental health problems
• Raynaud’s phenomenon (reduced blood flow to your fingers and toes)
• rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of damaged muscle, which can be life threatening)
• serotonin syndrome (too much of the chemical serotonin in the body, which can be life threatening)
• seizures
• sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction (inability to get or maintain an erection) or prolonged erections
• vision problems
• unwanted weight loss
• boxed warning: risk of drug misuse and dependence†
• boxed warning: risk of heart problems or sudden death†
• severe allergic reaction†
• slowed growth‡

* To view amphetamine’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for amphetamine” section below.
‡ This side effect is specific to children taking amphetamine rather than adults. For details, see amphetamine’s prescribing information in the “Article resources” section below.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

• Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
• Listen to the person without judgment.
• Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
• Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
• Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Click here for more links and local resources.

Interactions and warnings for amphetamine

Below, you’ll find information about amphetamine’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of amphetamine

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take amphetamine, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription drugs
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for amphetamine” section below.

Warnings for amphetamine

Amphetamine should not be taken or should be taken cautiously by certain people.

Boxed warnings

Amphetamine has a boxed warning about the risk of drug misuse and dependence. It also has a boxed warning about heart problems and sudden death. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Risk of drug misuse and dependence. Amphetamine has a high risk of misuse and dependence. With misuse, you take a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function like usual.

Symptoms of dependence may include anxiety, nightmares, or nausea between your doses.

Due to these risks, doctors usually don’t prescribe amphetamine to people who have had substance or alcohol use disorder. These conditions increase the risk of misuse and dependence with amphetamine.

If you have concerns about misuse or dependence with amphetamine treatment, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend ways to get help.

Risk of heart problems or sudden death. Misusing amphetamine can lead to serious heart problems, such as heart attack, and sudden death.

Symptoms of a heart attack may include chest pain, shortness of breath, and anxiety.

Due to this risk, you should not take amphetamine if you have the following conditions:

• advanced arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• heart disease that causes symptoms, such as angina (chest pain) or shortness of breath with activity
• moderate to severe high blood pressure
• high thyroid hormone level

If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, seek emergency medical care or call 911 or your local emergency number.

Other warnings

Amphetamine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether amphetamine is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for amphetamine, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Amphetamine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to amphetamine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe amphetamine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to amphetamine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and amphetamine

Information about amphetamine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Amphetamine and pregnancy

There are risks to taking amphetamine during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having untreated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy while pregnant. (Keep in mind that amphetamine is prescribed for treating ADHD and narcolepsy.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your treatment options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take amphetamine during pregnancy.

Note: If you are pregnant and have obesity, your doctor won’t likely prescribe amphetamine for obesity.

Amphetamine and breastfeeding

Amphetamine should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with amphetamine.

Dosage of amphetamine

The dosage of amphetamine your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should take.

Taking amphetamine

Amphetamine oral tablet is swallowed with or without food.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take amphetamine. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Overdose of amphetamine

You should not take more amphetamine than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much amphetamine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Amphetamine coupon

You may be able to save money on your prescription for amphetamine by using our Perks discount coupons. They can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for amphetamine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes amphetamine’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about amphetamine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How can I reduce the risk of misuse or dependence with amphetamine?
• Do I have an increased risk of side effects from amphetamine for any reason?
• Do any of the other medications I take interact with amphetamine?
• How does amphetamine compare with other drugs that could treat my condition?

 Article resources

• Amphetamine sulfate — amphetamine sulfate tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/9eb84b3c-2147-42dd-8053-6afd1a88b0c1/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.