Prescription medicine
Methamphetamine First approved as Desoxyn
Methamphetamine (Desoxyn) is a prescription medicine with an FDA approval on record since 1943. FDA's NDC Directory lists it from 3 generic labelers, and pharmacies paid $5.10 per methamphetamine 5 mg tablet in the October 7, 2026 NADAC survey.
- Generic listed
- Boxed warning
- DEA Schedule II
Check it at the source: the methamphetamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 30, 2024, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.); the NDA 5378 record on Drugs@FDA; every methamphetamine label on DailyMed.
Highlights of the record
FDA label of September 30, 2024; NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA and Orange Book, October 8, 2026; NADAC October 7, 2026
Methamphetamine has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including methamphetamine, can result in overdose and death [see Overdosage ( 10 )], and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection. Before prescribing methamphetamine, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Educate patients and their families about these risks, proper storage of the drug, and proper disposal of any unused drug. Throughout methamphetamine treatment, reassess each patient’s risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction and frequently monitor for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Drug Abuse and Dependence ( 9.2 )]. WARNING: ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Methamphetamine has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including methamphetamine, can result in overdose and death. ( 5.1 , 9.2 , 10 ):
Before prescribing methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. […]
Used for
From the label: indications and usageMethamphetamine hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.
Forms and strengths
- 5 mg
Tablet.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 31, 1943 Desoxyn, Ajenat Pharms; Drugs@FDA’s file, where older or withdrawn approvals can be missing
- Generic approvals
- 4 first January 19, 1976; 2 with a marketed status in Drugs@FDA
- Labelers listed (NDC)
- 3 of which 3 under generic applications, 0 under brand applications, repackagers included
Supply and safety
- Pharmacy cost (NADAC)
- $5.10 per tablet Methamphetamine 5 mg tablet
- Shortage (FDA)
- No current entry
- Recalls by its makers (FDA)
- No recall recorded
- FAERS reports
- 1,074 through July 30, 2026
What is methamphetamine used for?
From the label: indications and usageMethamphetamine hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.
Methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets are a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.
Conditions named in the indications of methamphetamine's FDA labels, with every medicine labeled for each:
FDA pharmacologic class: Amphetamine Anorectic and Central Nervous System Stimulant.
Source: FDA drug label (Methamphetamine Hydrochloride), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., effective September 30, 2024 (SPL set 90c02ac6-e5e2-4c97-8c68-81e4e389a195), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the patient leaflet for methamphetamine say first?
The FDA-approved Medication Guide or Patient Information that comes with the medicine, in its own words.
From the patient leaflet: What is the most important information I should know about methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets?Methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets may cause serious side effects, including: • Abuse, misuse, and addiction. Methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets have a high chance for abuse and misuse and may lead to substance use problems, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, other amphetamine containing medicines, and methylphenidate containing medicines, can lead to overdose and death. The risk of overdose and death is increased with higher doses of methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets or when it is used in ways that are not approved, such as snorting or injection. o Your healthcare provider should check your child’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction before starting treatment with methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets and will monitor your child during treatment. o Methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets may lead to physical dependence after prolonged use, even if taken as directed by your healthcare provider. o Do not give methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets to anyone else. See “ What are methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets? ” for more information. o Keep methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets in a safe place and properly dispose of any unused medicine. See “ How should I store methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets? ” for more information. o Tell your healthcare provider if your child has ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs. • Risks for people with serious heart disease. Sudden death has happened in people who have heart defects or other serious heart disease. Your child’s healthcare provider should check your child carefully for heart problems before starting treatment with methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets. […]
From the patient leaflet: How should I store methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets?Store methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.] • Store methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets in a safe place like a locked cabinet. Protect from light. • Dispose of remaining, unused, or expired methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets by a medicine take-back program at a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) authorized collection site. If no take-back program or DEA authorized collector is available, mix methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets with an undesirable, nontoxic substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds to make it less appealing to children and pets. Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag and throw away methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets in the household trash. […]
Source: FDA drug label (Methamphetamine Hydrochloride), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., effective September 30, 2024 (SPL set 90c02ac6-e5e2-4c97-8c68-81e4e389a195), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
Is there a generic for methamphetamine (Desoxyn)?
The FDA approved the first generic methamphetamine on January 19, 1976. 4 generic applications are approved; 2 of them carry a current (not discontinued) marketing status in Drugs@FDA; that status is not evidence that the generic is on sale.
FDA's NDC Directory lists methamphetamine from 3 labelers under a generic (ANDA) application. A listing means the company has registered the product for sale; it does not show that every pharmacy stocks it.
- 1943 earliest approval on file
- 1976 first generic approved
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory and the Orange Book (openFDA bulk files, October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay for methamphetamine (Desoxyn)?
In CMS's NADAC survey of October 7, 2026, pharmacies paid $5.10 per Methamphetamine 5 mg tablet, down 24% from $6.75 on October 8, 2025. The chart's scale runs from the lowest to the highest price shown, not from zero. NADAC is what retail pharmacies paid their wholesalers, per unit, in CMS's monthly survey; what a patient pays depends on insurance and the pharmacy.
- Methamphetamine 5 mg tablet (generic)
| Strength and form | Brand or generic | Pharmacy cost | 30 tablets, or one pen or vial | 12-month change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methamphetamine 5 mg tablet | Generic | $5.10 per tablet | $152.93 | -24% |
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price
What does the methamphetamine label say about other medicines?
The methamphetamine label names 7 other medicines in its interaction, contraindication or warning sections. The labels of 2 other medicines name methamphetamine. The sentences are the labels' own; a label lists what its studies and reports found, not every interaction.
| Medicine named | Section | What the label says |
|---|---|---|
| Amphetamine | contraindications | • known hypersensitivity to amphetamine, or other components of methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets. |
| Buspirone | warnings and precautions | … reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John’s Wort [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )]. |
| Fentanyl | warnings and precautions | … inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John’s Wort [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )]. |
| Linezolid | contraindications | • 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 )]. |
| Lithium | warnings and precautions | … (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John’s Wort [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )]. |
| Methylene blue | contraindications | • 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 )]. |
| Tramadol | warnings and precautions | … serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John’s Wort [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )]. |
Other labels that name methamphetamine
Source: FDA drug label (Methamphetamine Hydrochloride), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., effective September 30, 2024 (SPL set 90c02ac6-e5e2-4c97-8c68-81e4e389a195), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What do FAERS reports show for methamphetamine?
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System holds 1,074 reports that list methamphetamine among the medicines taken, through July 30, 2026, each a report of something that happened, not proof the medicine caused it; 747 are coded as a death and 170 as a hospital stay. Counts follow how widely a medicine is used and watched, and they are not a measure of how risky it is.
Reports received each year
The most reported reactions
Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) via openFDA, reports through July 30, 2026
What else is labeled for the same conditions as methamphetamine?
10 other medicines are given the same way (oral) and in the same FDA class as methamphetamine or labeled mainly for the same use (ADHD), the same class first. ADHD lists all 12 medicines labeled for it, by any route. The first 8 are below. They are listed as records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another is a prescriber's decision.
| Medicine | Shared indication | Generic labelers (oral) | Pharmacy cost | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methylphenidate | ADHD | 31 labelers | $0.158 per tablet 10 mg tablet | In shortage |
| Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine | ADHD | 25 labelers | $0.233 per tablet 10 mg tablet | In shortage |
| Lisdexamfetamine | ADHD | 19 labelers | $2.44 per capsule 20 mg capsule | In shortage |
| Dexmethylphenidate | ADHD | 13 labelers | $1.45 per capsule 10 mg capsule | No current entry |
| Amphetamine | ADHD | 13 labelers | $0.449 per tablet 10 mg tablet | No current entry |
| Dextroamphetamine | ADHD | 14 labelers | $0.373 per tablet 10 mg tablet | No current entry |
| Dexmethylphenidate and serdexmethylphenidate | ADHD | none listed | $14.40 per capsule 26.1 mg-5.2 mg capsule | No current entry |
| Atomoxetine | ADHD | 20 labelers | $0.442 per capsule 40 mg capsule | No current entry |
Every medicine labeled for the same conditions as methamphetamine
Source: FDA drug labels (indications), NDC Directory, NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages (October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to methamphetamine
- 10 medicines for the same use
- Other stimulants
- the pharmacologic class, with prices and generics
- Methamphetamine side effects
- the label's list beside FAERS reports
- Check an interaction
- what two or more labels say about each other