Methamphetamine Withdrawal: An Introduction
While most people think of methamphetamine as an illegal street drug, it is also a prescription medication licensed for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (
ADHD) and obesity.
Desoxyn® (
methamphetamine hydrochloride) is the prescription version of methamphetamine. Amphetamines, including methamphetamine, are known to cause withdrawal symptoms in people who stop taking them too quickly. However, methamphetamine withdrawal is most likely to occur in people who are taking doses much higher than recommended (such as people who have a problem with
methamphetamine addiction and abuse). People taking Desoxyn at the prescribed dose for a legitimate medical purpose do not usually experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms
Certain methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms can include, but are not limited to:
- Extreme fatigue (tiredness)
- Depression
- Changes in the heart rhythm.
Although methamphetamine withdrawal is generally not life threatening, it can be very uncomfortable. It can be so uncomfortable that people will start taking the drug again in order to relieve the methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms.
Also, if a pregnant woman takes methamphetamine, her baby may have withdrawal symptoms after it is born. If you are pregnant and taking Desoxyn (or "street" forms of the drug), be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about
methamphetamine and pregnancy.