Can Amphetamine Be Stopped Cold Turkey?

Posted on Thu, 17 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 Answered on

Wed, 7 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a question about drug abuse and withdrawl symptoms

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
please post your query.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome here.

Kindly proceed with your query.
I will try to help you in all possible ways.

Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (2 minutes later)

I need to know if I'm going to be ok if I stop my amphetamine abuse cold turkey and have been taking high 90+ mg amounts daily sometimes. Im not sure if i need medical attention but i have got fo stop taking my add medication for good because its an addiction now.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do not quit amphetamines cold turkey.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for reverting back with your query.
I can understand your concerns.

Quitting amphetamines cold turkey is not at all advisable.

It can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms which include:
abdominal pain, anxiety, depression, dysphoria, fatigue, increased heart rate and blood pressure, insomnia, mood swings, paranoia, panic and seizures.

As you are taking a high dose of amphetamines, I would recommend a very gradual downward tapering of dose over weeks to months.

Please consult your doctor and carry out dose reductions only under his supervision.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to ask further.

I wish for your speedy recovery.

Regards.
Dr. Shubham Mehta, MD.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar