Amphetamine Side Effects

Amphetamine, a medication with a wide range of applications, from managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to addressing sleep disorders. While Amphetamine can undoubtedly be a game-changer in many medical scenarios, it’s essential to be aware of its potential side effects. These side effects span a spectrum, from the commonly encountered to the exceptionally rare, each deserving of our attention. 

We’ll explore common and serious side effects, the possibility of allergic reactions, and even the long-term effects of this medication. Furthermore, we’ll touch on how Amphetamine can affect specific age groups, such as pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, pediatric patients, and the elderly. Finally, we’ll categorize these side effects based on the various body systems they impact, providing you with a comprehensive guide to navigate the intricacies of Amphetamines side effects. Understanding these facets of the medication empowers both healthcare professionals and patients in making informed decisions and ensuring safe and effective use of this drug.

Common Side Effects

In the realm of pharmaceuticals, understanding the common side effects of medications is paramount to providing safe and effective healthcare. Amphetamine, a versatile drug used for various medical conditions, is no exception. Here are some of the common side effects of Amphetamine: 

• Increased heart rate
• Mood changes, anxiety, feeling restless or nervous
• Trouble sleeping
• Dry mouth, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Painful urination
• Sexual problems, impotence
• Headache, dizziness
• Fever, weakness
• Itching

Serious Side Effects

More Common

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Bladder pain
• Bloody or cloudy urine
• Crying
• Delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness
• Difficult, burning, or painful urination
• False or unusual sense of well-being
• Feeling of unreality
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Lower back or side pain
• Mental depression
• Nervousness
• Quick to react or overreact emotionally
• Rapidly changing moods
• Sense of detachment from self or body

Less Common

• Chills
• Cough
• Fever
• Hoarseness

Allergic Reactions

If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction to amphetamine, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, seek immediate medical assistance.

Rare Side Effects

• Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• severe mental changes

Incidence not known

• Blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Confusion
• Dark urine
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• Headache
• Hives, itching, skin rash
• Joint or muscle pain
• Large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
• Mood swings
• Muscle cramps, pain, stiffness, or spasms
• Nausea
• Overactive reflexes
• Pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• Paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
• Pounding in the ears
• Red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• Red, irritated eyes
• Restlessness
• Shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• Shivering
• Slow or fast heartbeat
• Sore throat
• Sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• Sweating
• Swelling of the feet or lower legs
• Talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
• Tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold temperatures
• Trouble sleeping
• Twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
• Uncontrolled vocal outbursts or tics (uncontrolled repeated body movements)
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vomiting

Other Side Effects of Amphetamine

More common

• Voice changes
• Weight loss
• Dry mouth
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach ache

Less common

• Indigestion
• Stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• Belching
• Heartburn

Incidence not known

• Redness of the skin
• Thinning or loss of hair
• Unpleasant taste
• Constipation
• Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• Difficulty having a bowel movement
• Inability to have or keep an erection
• Loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

Symptoms of Amphetamine Overdose

• Stomach cramps
• Sweating
• Tremor
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vomiting
• Aggressive
• Angry
• Confusion
• Dark urine
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• Fainting
• Fast breathing
• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• Loss of consciousness
• Muscle cramps, spasms, pain, or stiffness
• Nausea
• Restlessness
• Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• Seizures

Categorize the Side Effects of Amphetamine Based on Various Body Systems

General

• Dry Mouth
• Anorexia
• Weight Loss
• Abdominal Pain
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• Emotional Lability
• Dizziness
• Tachycardia

Cardiovascular

• Palpitations, tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, cardiomyopathy
• Peripheral vasculopathy, myocardial infarction, sudden death, Raynaud’s phenomenon

Hypersensitivity

• Angioedema
• Anaphylaxis

Dermatologic

• Urticaria, rash, serious skin rashes, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, alopecia

Psychiatric

• Psychotic episodes (less than 0.1%)
• Euphoria, dysphoria, insomnia, restlessness, irritability, depression, aggression, anger, logorrhea, dermatillomania

Nervous system

• Overstimulation, dizziness, dyskinesia, tremor, headache, exacerbation of motor/phonic tics and Tourette’s syndrome, paresthesia, formication

Musculoskeletal

• Rhabdomyolysis

Gastrointestinal

• Upper abdominal pain (1% to 10%)
• Dry mouth, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, constipation, other GI disturbances, bruxism

Endocrine

• Impotence
•  Libido Changes
•  Frequent Prolonged Erections

Immunologic

• Urticaria

Metabolic

• Anorexia, weight loss

Respiratory

• Epistaxis, allergic rhinitis (1% to 10%)

Ocular

• Blurred vision, mydriasis

Long Term Effects of Amphetamine

Using amphetamines on a regular basis can lead to a multitude of health and lifestyle issues, significantly impacting one’s overall well-being. These concerns encompass a wide range of physical, psychological, and social consequences, including:

• Amphetamine Psychosis: Regular use may lead to conditions like hallucinations and paranoia, collectively known as “amphetamine psychosis.”
• Extreme Weight Loss and Malnutrition: Prolonged amphetamine use can result in severe weight loss and malnutrition, potentially affecting one’s physical health.
• Dry Mouth and Dental Problems: Amphetamines often cause dry mouth, contributing to dental issues such as cavities and gum disease.
• Regular Infections: Reduced immunity can lead to frequent infections, including common colds and the flu.
• Mood Swings: Users may experience mood swings, panic attacks, anxiety, and depression as a result of amphetamine use.
• Drug Dependence: Some individuals develop drug dependence, leading to increased amphetamine consumption or relying on other substances (like sedatives) to balance their effects.
• Out-of-Character Behavior: Aggression and violence may occur, causing behaviors that are uncharacteristic of the individual.
• Heart and Kidney Problems: Amphetamines can have detrimental effects on the heart and kidneys, posing serious health risks.
• Increased Stroke Risk: Long-term use is associated with an elevated risk of stroke, a potentially life-threatening condition.
• Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs): Risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex under the influence, can lead to a higher likelihood of contracting STIs.
• Financial, Work, Study, Legal, and Relationship Problems: Regular amphetamine use can result in a cascade of issues, affecting one’s financial stability, work or academic performance, legal standing, and interpersonal relationships. This often includes difficulties with concentration and reduced overall performance.

Side Effects of Amphetamine During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Exposure to amphetamines during pregnancy has been associated with adverse outcomes, potentially leading to premature delivery and low birth weight in infants born to mothers dependent on these drugs. This class of substances, including amphetamines, may constrict blood vessels within the placenta, increasing the risk of intrauterine growth restriction. It’s important to note that there is a lack of controlled human data on the effects of amphetamines during pregnancy.

As a result, healthcare providers should closely monitor these infants for various symptoms, including feeding difficulties, irritability, agitation, excessive drowsiness, and other withdrawal-related issues.

You can reach out to the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychostimulants at 1-866-961-2388 or visit their website at

https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/othermedications/ for more information and assistance. It is essential to seek appropriate medical guidance and support when facing these circumstances to ensure the well-being of both mother and child.

The impact of this medication on the neurological development of breastfed infants has not undergone extensive research. In some cases, high doses may disrupt milk production, particularly in women whose lactation is not yet fully established.

Limited available data suggests that this drug is likely to be present in human milk at a range of approximately 2% to 13.8% of the maternal weight-adjusted dose, with a milk/plasma ratio of 1.9 to 7.5. At the doses prescribed for medical purposes, there is no apparent adverse effect on breastfeeding infants. However, it’s essential to note that the effects on the neurological development of these infants have not been extensively studied.

Manufacturers generally advise against breastfeeding while taking this medication due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants. As a precaution, breastfeeding should be avoided in women who are actively abusing amphetamines to ensure the safety and well-being of both the mother and her child.

Side Effects Of Amphetamine in Geriatric Age (Elderly individuals)

Studies have revealed that older adults initiating treatment with stimulants faced a concerning 40% rise in their risk of experiencing heart attacks, strokes, or ventricular arrhythmias within the initial 30 days of treatment. Ventricular arrhythmias involve irregular heart rhythms in the lower chambers of the heart, some of which can be life-threatening. Furthermore, amphetamines and methylphenidate can exacerbate pre existing conditions often observed in the elderly, including sleep disorders, anorexia, anxiety, and agitation. Additionally, these stimulants may interact unfavorably with other medications, posing challenges in the overall management of elderly patients.