ADHD Medication and Treatment Reviews

Evekeo (amphetamine sulfate)

Evekeo is a stimulant medication used to treat ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults
Generic Name: amphetamine sulfate

By Janice Rodden
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What is Evekeo?

Evekeo (Generic Name: amphetamine sulfate) is an immediate-release, short-acting stimulant medication tablet primarily used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ages 3-12, adolescents, and adults. Evekeo ODT (Generic Name: amphetamine sulfate) is an immediate-release, short-acting oral disintegrating tablet primarily used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ages 6-17, adolescents, and adults. According to the FDA, Evekeo is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. It is an amphetamine.

Evekeo may improve focus and decrease distractibility, impulsivity, emotionality, and hyperactive behavior, four hallmark symptoms in patients with ADHD. The long-term effects of amphetamine use for children have not been established.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends treatment with behavioral therapy before medication for children under the age of 6. For children ages 6 to 11, the AAP says “The primary care clinician should prescribe US Food and Drug Administration–approved medications for ADHD and/or evidence-based parent- and/or teacher-administered behavior therapy as treatment for ADHD, preferably both.” Likewise, the National Institute of Mental Health finds the most successful treatment plans use a combination of ADHD medication, like Evekeo, and behavior therapies.

Evekeo is also used to treat narcolepsy or obesity for patients 12 and older.

How Do You Use Evekeo?

Before starting or refilling an Evekeo prescription, read the medication guide included with your pills, as it may be updated with new information.

This guide should not replace a conversation with your doctor, who has a holistic view of your or your child’s medical history, other diagnoses, and other prescriptions. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you begin taking the medication.

What is the Typical Dosage for Evekeo?

As with all medications, follow your Evekeo prescription instructions exactly. Evekeo is taken orally with or without food; the first dose is given in the morning. Taking it late in the evening can cause insomnia.

The optimal dosage of Evekeo varies by patient; it is not determined by age, weight, or height, but rather by how a person metabolizes the medication. Your doctor may adjust your prescribed dose of Evekeo until you or your child experiences the best response – that is, the lowest dosage at which you experience the greatest improvement in symptoms without side effects. If you or your child exceeds the prescribed daily dosage, call your doctor or poison control, or seek emergency medical care. For updated information about dosages, interactions, and precautions, see the Evekeo drug monograph on WebMD.

During treatment, your doctor may periodically ask you to stop taking Evekeo so that he or she can monitor ADHD symptoms; check vital statistics including heart, and blood pressure; or evaluate height and weight. If any problems are found, your doctor may recommend discontinuing treatment.

After long-term usage, some patients develop a tolerance to Evekeo. If you notice that your current dosage is no longer controlling symptoms, talk to your doctor to plan a course of action.

What Side Effects are Associated with Evekeo?

The most common side effects of Evekeo are similar to those associated with Adderall XR and other stimulant medications, and are as follows: headache, stomach ache, trouble sleeping, decreased appetite, unpleasant taste, nervousness, dizziness, sexual problems, vomiting, itching, diarrhea or constipation, dry mouth, weight loss, and mood swings.

Other serious side effects include: seizures and eyesight changes or blurred vision. Taking Evekeo may impair your or your teenager’s ability to drive, operate machinery, or perform other potentially dangerous tasks. This side effect usually wears off with time.There has been some concern that stimulants may cause a slowing of growth in children and adolescents, however research findings are mixed. Some studies show no impact on growth at all,1 while others find what is considered “negligible” slowing of growth.2 If you find evidence of suppressed growth in your child, talk to your doctor about what steps might help. If side effects are bothersome, or do not go away, talk to your doctor.

Most people taking this medication do not experience any of these side effects.

Report to your doctor any heart-related problems or a family history of heart and blood pressure problems before starting a new prescription. Patients with structural cardiac abnormalities and other serious heart problems have experienced sudden death, stroke, and heart attack while taking Evekeo. Stimulants can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Physicians should monitor these vital signs closely during treatment. Call your doctor immediately if you or your child experiences warning signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking Evekeo.

Also, disclose to your physician all mental health issues including any family history of suicide, bipolar illness, Tourette’s syndrome, or depression. Evekeo may create new or exacerbate existing behavior or mental problems, bipolar illness, tics, or psychotic symptoms including but not limited to hearing voices, believing things that aren’t true, or manic symptoms. Call your doctor immediately if you or your child experiences new or worsening mental health symptoms including hallucinations or sudden suspicions.

Discuss circulation problems with your doctor before taking Evekeo, which has been known to cause numbness, coolness, or pain in fingers or toes, including Raynaud’s phenomenon. Report to your doctor any new blood-flow problems, pain, skin color changes, or sensitivities to temperature while taking Evekeo.

Amphetamines like Evekeo have a high potential for abuse and addiction, especially among people who do not have ADHD. It is a “Schedule II” stimulant, a designation that the Drug Enforcement Agency uses for drugs with a high potential for abuse. Other Schedule II drugs include Dexedrine, Ritalin, Adderall XR, and cocaine. People with a history of drug abuse should use caution when trying this medication. Taking the medication exactly as prescribed can reduce potential for abuse.

The above is not a complete list of potential side effects. If you notice any health changes not listed above, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

What Precautions are Associated with Evekeo?

Store Evekeo in a secure place out of reach of children, and at room temperature. Do not share your Evekeo prescription with anyone, even another person with ADHD. Sharing prescription medication is illegal, and can cause harm.

You should not take Evekeo if you or your child have:

  • heart problems or hardening of the arteries
  • high blood pressure
  • hyperthyroidism
  • a history of drug abuse
  • severe feelings of anxiety, tension or agitation
  • an allergy to stimulant medications or any other ingredients in Evekeo
  • taken or plan to take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days

If you are thinking of becoming pregnant, discuss the use of Evekeo with your doctor. It is not known if Evekeo will cause fetal harm. Evekeo is passed through breastmilk, so it is recommended that mothers do not nurse while taking it.

What Interactions are Associated with Evekeo?

Before taking Evekeo, discuss all other active prescription medications with your doctor. Evekeo can have a dangerous, possibly fatal, interaction with antidepressants including MAOIs.

Exercise caution with medicines that are known to interact with amphetamines including anti-psychotics, lithium, narcotic pain medicines, seizure medications, blood thinners, blood pressure medications, stomach acid medications — like antacids — and cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants. Even over-the-counter medications may contain ingredients that raise or lower the level of the medication in your blood to a dangerous level. Speak with your doctor about all other prescription and over-the-counter medications you take.

Share a list of all vitamin or herbal supplements, and prescription and non-prescription medications you take with the pharmacist when you fill your prescription, and let all doctors and physicians know you are taking Evekeo before having any surgery or laboratory tests. The above is not a complete list of all possible drug interactions.

Evekeo and Other ADHD Medications: More Information

Sources:

1Pediatrics (2014.) “ADHD, Stimulant Treatment, and Growth: A Longitudinal Study.” https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/134/4/e935/77034/ADHD-Stimulant-Treatment-and-Growth-A-Longitudinal

2Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. (2019.) “Trajectories of Growth Associated With Long-Term Stimulant Medication in the Multimodal Treatment Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.” https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0890-8567(19)31443-1/fulltext

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/medguide.cfm?setid=bb12811f-4cce-4010-aa48-d17c46ca1d3a
https://www.evekeo.com/