Dexedrine

adult adhd dexedrine

By Tammy Preston, MS

Generic Name: dextroamphetamine (dex-trow-am-FET-uh-meen)

Brand Names: Dexedrine®, Dextrostat®

Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline Corporation. Generic dextroamphetamines are made by several manufacturers.

What Is Dexedrine?
Marketed under the brand names Dexedrine® and Dextrostat®, dextroamphetamine and other amphetamines function as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, and have been FDA approved for the treatment of both childhood and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as narcolepsy in adults.

How Does Dexedrine Work?
Although it is not known exactly how dextroamphetamine works, it is believed to increase the flow of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, chemicals that carry the signal between neurons (cells of the nervous system). This can result in an increase in a person’s ability to focus over extended periods of time.

How Do I Take Dextroamphetamine?
Tablets of the salt dextroamphetamine sulfate (brand names Dexedrine or Dextrostat) are available in 5 mg and 10 mg strengths.

Dextroamphetamine sulfate is also available in a controlled release capsules (brand names Dexedrine SR or Dexedrine Spansule), in 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg strengths. The capsules release the medication slowly over time and can be taken just once a day.

Is Dexedrine Effective for Adult ADHD?
Dextroamphetamine has been used to treat ADHD in both children and adults for many years. As early as 1998, studies have shown dextroamphetamine to be effective in the treatment of adult ADHD [1].

Dexedrine Minor Side Effects
Common side effects are similar to those typically associated with the use of stimulants, and include:
· Dry mouth
· Upset Stomach
· Diarrhea or Constipation
· Irritability and Restlessness
· Loss of appetite
· Difficulty falling asleep
· Weight loss
Most minor side effects of amphetamines resolve over the first week or two, as your body adjusts to the medication.

Dexedrine Precautions
Addiction & Abuse

Studies have been done to address concern that use of stimulant medications may lead to later drug dependency and abuse. Although, untreated ADHD has been linked to an increased risk of substance abuse later in life [2], the likelihood of future drug abuse disorder is actually decreased when ADHD is properly treated [3].

Still, because dextroamphetamine is an amphetamine and stimulant, there is the potential for increasing tolerance to the medication over long-term use as well as the danger of abuse. And this medication is not recommended for people who have a history of drug abuse.

Cardiac Precautions
Dextroamphetamine and other amphetamines may not be right for you if you have a history of heart problems, such as hardened arteries (arteriosclerosis), heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), or any other pre-existing cardiac condition.

Other Precautions
The drug is also not recommended for people with overactive thyroid, glaucoma, epilepsy and seizure disorders, severe anxiety or agitation and those who have taken MAO inhibitors within the past two weeks. Before taking Dextroamphetamine, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of these problems.

Pregnancy Category C
As a category C medication, dextroamphetamine may be harmful to an unborn baby. This drug can also pass into breast milk and may be harmful to your baby if you nurse. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while you are being treated for ADHD.

Dexedrine Withdrawal
There can be strong withdrawal symptoms upon the sudden termination of Dexedrine, including extreme fatigue and moodiness. Ideally dosage should be tapered over time.

Sources
1. Wilen TE, Spencer TJ, Biederman J. (1998) Pharmacotherapy of adult ADHD: In: Barkley RA, ed. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a handbook for diagnosis and treatment. 2d ed. New York: Guilford, p 592-606.
2. Richardson. (2005) When Too Much Isn’t Enough, Ending The Destructive Cycle of AD/HD and Addictive Behavior, Pinon Press
3. Wilens, et al. (2003) Does Stimulant Therapy of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Beget Later Substance Abuse? A Meta-analytic Review of the Literature, Pediatrics Vol. 111 (1).
4. Medicine Net: http://www.medicinenet.com/dextroamphetamine-oral_capsule_tablet/article.htm

Comments

  1. What’s maximum recommended daily dosage? Or how much are you on for this to be effective? I’m on 20mg 3 x a day…more recently changing it around on how I’m feeling but it helps for sure but not that great for me! Concerta are useless no matter how much.

  2. @Dave – it’s not recommended to self-experiment with meds. The amount any individual needs is completely individual. The 60 mg a day you are taking is quite high already, although I know people on higher amounts. Talk over increasing your dosage with your doctor. Another approach is to combine Dexedrine with another med.

  3. Rebecca crowningshield says

    I have had so much trouble getting this medication this past year. I was told it was not being made anymore, then I found on a website that it was being made again. (wish I had saved the site bcause i believe there are only 4 manufacturers). I tried adderall last month, now I have been fired for exacerbation of tourettes. I am being evicted, I am an RN and my TIC is coprolalia which I have kept mental for 20 years until adderall. Of course I have spent countless hrs trying to file lawsuits against this hospital but I would rather know my dexadrine will be at the pharmacy every month, all 60 of them and at a price I can afford. My pay went from 1800.00 bi-weekly to 344 bi-weekly unemployment. I am furious at the drug shortage problem. would like to know manufacturers and phone numbers and/or adresses so I can try to have them sent direct to my doctor. it causes anxiety stopping at 30 pharmacies a day looking for these things. What if it was life threatening? well its quality of life threatening. My eviction notice states I have 2 days and I am literally on the street. Gotta love america

  4. urja bheda says

    Can u tell me where do i get dexedrine from ?

  5. urja bheda says

    Please !??? I need it !! Now !!!

  6. Go to the doctor, counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist and explain your symptoms!

  7. Hi there this is a bit detailed but some answers are needed –
    thank you for your time and help ….
    I wonder what happens if you find its not doing the job it use to.
    Dose 5mgx3 (4x day) = 60
    It lasts 3 hrs ?
    What can you do if working mega hours into the evening?
    Slow releases caused racing thumping heart – no way will that be touched but the 5mg caused no racing thumping heart.

    The person taking it can at times fall asleep after taking it – never use to be like that.
    Could stress cause it to have no affect?
    Could other vitamins cause it to not work omega 3 high in epa dha or could low thyroid hormonal imbalances etc cause a hinderance to it being effective.

    What should be checked in bloodwork if taking it for mega years ? LFT?

    It doesn’t seem to be the same –
    it was out of stock at one point and I noticed it did not appear to be the same orange triangle tablet – a different company could be making it – but is it possible it might have different ingredients. How could it be checked ?

    Dexadrine appeared broken in the med container and gave the impression that something was different this was not normal.

    The dexadrine 5mg never ever use to break in the med container into pieces.

    I wonder if it should be looked into – refilled at a different location different manufacturer to see if there is a difference noticed in quality appearance & the affect of it helping working for you as it use to.

    It appeared diffeent sometimes times with tiny spots on it – then other times solid orange colour triangle shape -but it appeared slimmer not the same shape and several broke into pieces in the med container.
    Is there a ‘pretend’ version of dexadrine that looks similar?

    I just thought I’d ask –
    thank you for your time and help
    Gina

  8. I hate this medication It makes me so damn skeepy! It’s killed the little focus that I sometimes have. (Hyperfocus on ocasion.) I’m freezing all the time and have headaches.

  9. I live in Victoria Australia. I’m 43 with medically diagnosed ADHD. Previously on Dexamphetamine (as prescribed). In combination with CBT, this medication worked well and for a seven year period, life was relatively “normal”. I returned to study and reached a phd level in Psychology. I have since developed celiac disease and as Dexamphetamine contain gluten, and my health was deteriorating rapidly I was put on vyvanse. This medication doesn’t seem to suit and as such am wanting to know if anyone please knows of a pharmacy/chemist in Victoria that dispense a GLUTEN FREE Dexamphetamine/dexedrine/etc option apart from vyvanse?
    Sorry for wordy message, like I said…my ADHD symptoms are spilling out all over the place.
    Thanks for spending the time to read my overly lengthy question.
    With love from my heart, Zan

  10. Paul herman says

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