Use of amphetamines along with other medicines may cause problems in stopping their use, Elizabeth Tracey reports

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Amphetamines and methylphenidate are increasingly being prescribed in concert with other drugs, most often antidepressants or sleep aids, a Johns Hopkins study shows. And while beginning amphetamines may be fairly easy, stopping them can be quite challenging. That’s according to Thomas Moore, one of the study’s authors.

Moore: The next safety problem that a combination like that occurs is getting off of them. All three of those drugs have some discontinuation effects they are fairly substantial for amphetamines somewhat more moderate for many antidepressants but can also cause rebound insomnia if you're trying to discontinue one of the sleep medications. These combinations have not been well studied we don't know enough about them to know who should take them who should not take them whether the doses need to be adjusted. :28

The study shows 3% of those 19 to 64 years of age in the US are prescribed these medicines. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.