Methamphetamine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Methamphetamine is a medicine sold in the U.S. under one brand, for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, narcolepsy and obesity. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Treats
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Narcolepsy and Obesity
- Available as
- Tablet
- Sold as
- Methamphetamine Hydrochloride
- Prescription?
- Prescription only
- Generic available?
- Yes
- What the pharmacy pays
- about $178 for a 30-count supply — not your price
- Boxed warning
- Boxed warning
How methamphetamine is dosed
From the FDA label for Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (application ANDA091189). Other methamphetamine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Administer methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP orally once daily or in two divided doses daily. Avoid administration late in the evening due to the risk of insomnia. ( 2.2 ) Recommended starting dosage is 5 mg once or twice a daily. ( 2.3 ) Daily dosage may be increased in 5 mg increments at weekly intervals depending on clinical response. ( 2.3 ) The recommended dosage range is 20 mg to 25 mg daily. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Pretreatment Screening Prior to treating patients with methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP, assess: for the presence of cardiac disease (i.e., perform a careful history, family history of sudden death or ventricular arrhythmia, and physical examination) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. the family history and clinically evaluate patients for motor or verbal tics or Tourette’s syndrome before initiating methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ( 5.9 )]. 2.2 Important Dosing Information Administer methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP orally once daily or in two divided doses daily. Avoid taking methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP late in the evening due to the risk of insomnia. 2.3 Recommended Dosage For pediatric patients 6 years of age and older, the recommended starting dosage is 5 mg methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP once or twice daily. The daily dosage may be increased in increments of 5 mg…
Methamphetamine side effects
The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction[ see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ), Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.2, 9.3)] Hypersensitivity to amphetamine products or other ingredients of methamphetamine [ see Contraindications ( 4 )] Hypertensive Crisis When Used Concomitantly with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors [see Contraindications ( 4 ), Drug Interactions (7.1)] Risks to Patient with Serious Cardiac Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Psychiatric Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Long-Term Suppression of Growth in Pediatric Patients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Peripheral Vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s Phenomenon [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Seizures [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Motor and Verbal Tics, and Worsening of Tourette’s Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] The following adverse reactions associated with the use of methamphetamine were identified in clinical trials or postmarketing reports. Because these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal…
Who shouldn’t take methamphetamine
Methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP is contraindicated in patients with: known hypersensitivity to amphetamine, or other components of methamphetamine. Hypersensitivity reactions such as angioedema and anaphylactic reactions have been reported in patients treated with other amphetamine products [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 )]. taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or within 14 days following discontinuation of treatment with an MAOIs (including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue), because of the risk of hypertensive crisis [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )]. Known hypersensitivity to amphetamine, or other components of methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP. ( 4 ) Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or use of an MAOI within the preceding 14 days. ( 4 )
Methamphetamine drug interactions
Acidifying and Alkalinizing Agents: Agents that alter GI and urinary pH can alter blood levels of amphetamine. Acidifying agents can decrease amphetamine blood levels, while alkalinizing agents can increase amphetamine blood levels. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Drugs Having Clinically Important Interactions with methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP Table 1 presents clinically important drug interactions with methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP . Table 1: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI) Clinical Impact: MAOI antidepressants slow amphetamine metabolism, increasing amphetamines effect on the release of norepinephrine and other monoamines from adrenergic nerve endings causing headaches and other signs of hypertensive crisis. Toxic neurological effects and malignant hyperpyrexia can occur, sometimes with fatal results. Intervention: Concomitant use of methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or within 14 days after discontinuing MAOI treatment is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4)]. Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of amphetamines, including methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP , and serotonergic drugs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention: Initiate methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP with lower doses and monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, particularly during methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP initiation or dosage increase. If serotonin syndrome occurs, discontinue methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP and the concomitant serotonergic drug(s) [see Warnings and Precautions 5.8]. AlkalinizingAgents Clinical Impact: Alkalinizing agents may increase exposure to amphetamines and potentiate the action of amphetamine. Intervention Avoid co-administration of methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP and gastrointestinal and urinary alkalinizing agents. Acidifying Agents Clinical Impact: Acidifying agents lower blood levels and efficacy of amphetamines. Intervention Increase dose of methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP based on clinical response. Tricyclic Antidepressants Clinical Impact: May enhance the activity of tricyclic or sympathomimetic agents causing sustained increases in the concentration of d-amphetamine in the brain; cardiovascular effects can be potentiated. Intervention Monitor frequently and adjust methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP dose or use alternative therapy based on clinical response. CYP2D6 Inhibitors Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP and CYP2D6 inhibitors may increase the exposure of methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP compared to the use of the drug alone, and increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention Start with lower doses and monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome particularly during methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP initiation and after a dosage increase. If serotonin syndrome occurs, discontinue methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, USP and the CYP2D6 inhibitor [see Warnings and Precautions 5.8]. Gastric pH Modulators Clinical Impact: Time to maximum concentration (Tmax) of amphetamine is decreased compared to when administered alone. Intervention Monitor patients for changes in clinical effect and use alternative therapy based on clinical response. Guanethidine Clinical Impact: Methamphetamine may decrease the hypotensive effect ofguanethidine. Intervention Monitor patients and adjust therapy based on clinicalresponse. Insulin requirements in diabetes mellitus may be altered in association with the use of methamphetamine and the concomitant dietary regimen. 7.2 Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions Amphetamines can cause a significant elevation in plasma corticosteroid levels. This increase is greatest in the evening. Amphetamines may interfere with urinary steroid determinations.
Every methamphetamine product we track (1)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
Only one: Methamphetamine Hydrochloride.
What methamphetamine pills look like
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
How long methamphetamine keeps
No methamphetamine label we read sets a separate limit for after opening, but they do specify how it must be stored — and the stability behind any date assumes those conditions.
Does methamphetamine expire? The in-use limits and storage rules from its labelsMethamphetamine and breastfeeding
From LactMed, the US National Library of Medicine’s Drugs and Lactation Database — quoted, not rewritten.
Full LactMed record for methamphetamine: levels in milk, effects in breastfed infants, and the drugs it would consider insteadBecause there is no published experience with methamphetamine as a therapeutic agent during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. One expert recommends that amphetamines not be used therapeutically in nursing mothers.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, record revised July 15, 2026. LactMed states its information is not a substitute for professional judgement.
What people report to the FDA about methamphetamine
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 1,110 reports naming methamphetamine, and the FDA flagged 94% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- respiratory arrest65 reports
- cardio-respiratory arrest49 reports
- drug toxicity43 reports
- intentional drug misuse38 reports
- pulmonary oedema34 reports
- serotonin syndrome32 reports
- respiratory depression29 reports
- aggression28 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean methamphetamine caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved July 25, 2026.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine Hydrochloride is a medication used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Narcolepsy, Obesity.
Can you take methamphetamine with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run methamphetamine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What forms does methamphetamine come in?
Across the brands we track, methamphetamine is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic methamphetamine?
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic methamphetamine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.
How long does methamphetamine (Desoxyn) stay in your system?
"In your system" means two different things. First is clearance: methamphetamine has an elimination half-life of about 10 to 12 hours (reported ranges span roughly 9 to 15 hours), longer than most stimulants, per pharmacology references and the FDA label for the prescription form (Desoxyn). Because a drug is largely eliminated after about 4 to 5 half-lives, most of a single dose is cleared in roughly 2 to 3 days. Methamphetamine is also partly broken down into amphetamine, which is itself detectable. Second is detectability: a drug test can find methamphetamine or amphetamine for longer than the drug stays active, and how long depends on the test type. These are approximate ranges from laboratory and toxicology references, not guarantees, and only a clinician or testing lab can interpret a specific result. This is educational information, not medical or legal advice.
How long is methamphetamine detectable in a urine drug test?
Urine is the most common test. Mayo Clinic Laboratories and other toxicology references list a typical urine detection window of about 3 to 5 days after last use, occasionally longer (up to roughly a week) with heavy or repeated use. Methamphetamine will register on a standard amphetamine immunoassay, and confirmatory testing (GC-MS or LC-MS/MS) can distinguish methamphetamine from amphetamine and from other stimulants that might otherwise cause a false positive. The exact window depends on the dose, how long and how often it was used, individual metabolism, hydration, urine pH, and the specific assay and cutoff. Urine pH is one of several individual factors that can shift the window, which is part of why these ranges vary from person to person. These are approximate ranges; only the testing lab can interpret an actual result, and this is not medical or legal advice.
How long does methamphetamine show up in blood, saliva, or hair?
Detection windows differ by specimen. In blood, methamphetamine is typically detectable for about 1 to 3 days. In saliva (oral fluid) it can appear soon after use and generally remains detectable for up to about 1 to 4 days. Hair testing has by far the longest window: a standard hair-strand test can reflect methamphetamine use for up to about 90 days, because the drug is deposited in growing hair (roughly 1 cm per month of look-back). All of these are approximate laboratory ranges that vary with dose, frequency of use, metabolism, and the assay. This information is factual and educational only; it is not advice about passing or altering a test, it is not medical or legal advice, and no one should stop a prescribed medication without talking to the prescribing clinician.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Methamphetamine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/methamphetamine
- MLA
- “Methamphetamine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/methamphetamine.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for methamphetamine on DailyMed (NIH) ↗ — including its boxed warning in full.