Methamphetamine Withdrawal

When people abruptly stop taking methamphetamine, withdrawal symptoms may occur. Signs of withdrawal from methamphetamine may include depression, changes in heart rhythm, and extreme fatigue. People who are taking prescribed doses of methamphetamine for legitimate medical purposes usually don't need to worry about withdrawal. For people who have been taking large doses of methamphetamine, withdrawal symptoms may be limited by weaning them off the medication; antidepressants may also be helpful.

 

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.
 
(Methamphetamine Withdrawal Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;