home > drugs a-z list > desoxyn (methamphetamine hydrochloride) drug center > desoxyn (methamphetamine hydrochloride) drug - medication guide and patient information

MEDICATION GUIDE

DESOXYN® (methamphetamine hydrochloride)
(Pronounced D -s ks- n)
(methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP)

Read the Medication Guide that comes with DESOXYN® (methamphetamine hydrochloride) before you or your child starts taking it and each time you get a refill.

There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking to your or your child's doctor about your or your child's treatment with DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) .

What is DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) ?

DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) is a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine. It is used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; (ADHD).

DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) is also used short-term, along with a low calorie diet, for weight loss in obese patients who have not been able to lose weight on other therapies.

Who should not take DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) ?

DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) should not be taken if you or your child:

• have heart disease or hardening of the arteries
• have moderate to severe high blood pressure
• have hyperthyroidism
• have an eye problem called glaucoma
• are agitated
• have a history of drug abuse
• are taking or have taken within the past 14 days an antidepression medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or MAOI.
• are sensitive to, allergic to, or had a reaction to other stimulant medicines

DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) is not recommended for use in children less than 6 years old in the treatment of ADHD.

DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) may not be right for you or your child. Before starting DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) tell your or your child's doctor about all health conditions (or a family history of) including:

• heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure
• mental problems including psychosis, mania, bipolar illness, or depression
• tics or Tourette's syndrome
• thyroid problems
• diabetes
• seizures or have had an abnormal brain wave test (EEG)

Tell your or your child's doctor if you or your child is pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Can DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) be taken with other medicines?

Tell your or your child's doctor about all of the medicines that you or your child take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines will need to be adjusted while taking DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) .

Your or your child's doctor will decide whether DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) can be taken with other medicines.

(over)

Especially tell your or your child's doctor if you or your child takes:

• anti-depression medicines including MAOIs
• anti-psychotic medicines
• blood pressure medicines
• insulin
• seizure medicines

Know the medicines that you or your child takes. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start any new medicine while taking DESOXYN® (methamphetamine hydrochloride) without talking to your or your child's doctor first.

How should DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) be taken?

• Take DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) exactly as prescribed.Your or your child's doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.
• DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) is usually taken 1 or 2 times each day.
• From time to time, your or your child's doctor may stop DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
• Your or your child's doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) . Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) . DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
• If you or your child takes too much DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) or overdoses, call your or your child's doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.

What are possible side effects of DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) ?

See “What is the most important information I should know about DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) ?”for information on reported heart and mental problems.

Other serious side effects include:

• slowing of growth (height and weight) in children
• seizures, mainly in patients with a history of seizures
• eyesight changes or blurred vision

Common side effects include

DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) may affect your or your child's ability to drive or do other dangerous activities. Talk to your or your child's doctor if you or your child has side effects that are bothersome or do not go away. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Ask your or your child's doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should I store DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) ?

• Store DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) in a safe place below 86°F (30°C). Protect from light.
• Keep DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride)

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) to other people, even if they have the same condition. It may harm them and it is against the law.

This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) . If you would like more information, talk with your or your child's doctor. You can ask your or your child's doctor or pharmacist for information about DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) that was written for healthcare professionals.

For more information about DESOXYN (methamphetamine hydrochloride) , contact OVATION Pharmaceuticals at 1-888-514-5204 or visit www. ovationpharma.com.

What are the ingredients in DESOXYN?

Active Ingredient:methamphetamine hydrochloride

Inactive Ingredients:Corn starch, lactose, sodium paraminobenzoate, stearic acid and talc

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/14/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.