About
Dextroamphetamine
(dek-stroh-am-fet-uh-meen)
Dextroamphetamine (Sold in the US as Adderall) is a psychostimulant which produces increased wakefulness, energy and self-confidence in association with decreased fatigue and appetite. It is perhaps the archetypal psycho-stimulant, and drugs with similar psychoactive properties are often referred to as “amphetamine analogues”, or described as having “amphetamine-like”, or even “amphetaminergic” effects. As a CNS stimulant, enantiopure dextroamphetamine is more powerful than racemic amphetamine and has stimulant properties that are similar to those of methamphetamine, but is slightly less potent.
About Dextroamphetamine
Dextroamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant (amphetamine). Dextroamphetamine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children 6 years of age and older and in adults.
Precautions for Dextroamphetamine
Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse. Taking amphetamines for long periods of time may lead to drug addiction. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of people obtaining amphetamines for non-therapeutic use or distribution to others.
Misuse of amphetamine may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events.
Side Effects of Dextroamphetamine
* Sudden deaths: See FDA Alert.
* Abuse potential: See Warning.
* Worsening mental illness (psychosis): Dextroamphetamine may make symptoms of existing mental illness worse.
* Possible decreased growth and weight loss: Dextroamphetamine may decrease growth and cause weight loss. Children who take it for a long time should have their growth and body weight measured regularly.
* Increased tics: Dextroamphetamine may worsen tics and Tourette’s disorder.
* Pregnancy: Tell your healthcare professional if you are or may be pregnant because your baby may be premature or have a low birth weight. Also, your baby may show withdrawal symptoms, such as agitation and drowsiness.
* Breast feeding: Do not breast feed while taking Dextroamphetamine because it can pass into your breast milk.
* Other side effects include loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, headaches, and mood changes.
* Tell your healthcare professional about any medical conditions you have in addition to those already mentioned in this information sheet.
Who Should Not Take Dextroamphetamine
You should not take Dextroamphetamine if you have:
* A heart defect
* Other heart problems, including high blood pressure, and heart or blood vessel disease
* Overactive thyroid
* Glaucoma
* A history of drug abuse
Never take Dextroamphetamine if you are taking a drug used to treat depression, called a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), or if you have stopped taking an MAOI in the last 14 days. Taking Dextroamphetamine close in time to an MAOI can result in serious, sometimes fatal, reactions, including:
* High body temperature
* Coma
* Seizures (convulsions)
MAOI drugs include Nardil (phenelzine sulfate), Parnate (tranylcypromine sulfate), Marplan (isocarboxid), and other brands.
Interactions with Dextroamphetamine
Dextroamphetamine may interact with other medicines. These interactions can cause serious side effects. Tell your healthcare professional about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take, especially:
* Those used to treat depression, known as tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)
* Antacids
* Those used to treat urinary problems
* Diuretics
* Propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), a pain medicine
Dextroamphetamine
(dek-stroh-am-fet-uh-meen)
Dextroamphetamine (Sold in the US as Adderall) is a psychostimulant which produces increased wakefulness, energy and self-confidence in association with decreased fatigue and appetite. It is perhaps the archetypal psycho-stimulant, and drugs with similar psychoactive properties are often referred to as “amphetamine analogues”, or described as having “amphetamine-like”, or even “amphetaminergic” effects. As a CNS stimulant, enantiopure dextroamphetamine is more powerful than racemic amphetamine and has stimulant properties that are similar to those of methamphetamine, but is slightly less potent.
About Dextroamphetamine
Dextroamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant (amphetamine). Dextroamphetamine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children 6 years of age and older and in adults.
Precautions for Dextroamphetamine
Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse. Taking amphetamines for long periods of time may lead to drug addiction. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of people obtaining amphetamines for non-therapeutic use or distribution to others.
Misuse of amphetamine may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events.
Side Effects of Dextroamphetamine
* Sudden deaths: See FDA Alert.
* Abuse potential: See Warning.
* Worsening mental illness (psychosis): Dextroamphetamine may make symptoms of existing mental illness worse.
* Possible decreased growth and weight loss: Dextroamphetamine may decrease growth and cause weight loss. Children who take it for a long time should have their growth and body weight measured regularly.
* Increased tics: Dextroamphetamine may worsen tics and Tourette’s disorder.
* Pregnancy: Tell your healthcare professional if you are or may be pregnant because your baby may be premature or have a low birth weight. Also, your baby may show withdrawal symptoms, such as agitation and drowsiness.
* Breast feeding: Do not breast feed while taking Dextroamphetamine because it can pass into your breast milk.
* Other side effects include loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, headaches, and mood changes.
* Tell your healthcare professional about any medical conditions you have in addition to those already mentioned in this information sheet.
Who Should Not Take Dextroamphetamine
You should not take Dextroamphetamine if you have:
* A heart defect
* Other heart problems, including high blood pressure, and heart or blood vessel disease
* Overactive thyroid
* Glaucoma
* A history of drug abuse
Never take Dextroamphetamine if you are taking a drug used to treat depression, called a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), or if you have stopped taking an MAOI in the last 14 days. Taking Dextroamphetamine close in time to an MAOI can result in serious, sometimes fatal, reactions, including:
* High body temperature
* Coma
* Seizures (convulsions)
MAOI drugs include Nardil (phenelzine sulfate), Parnate (tranylcypromine sulfate), Marplan (isocarboxid), and other brands.
Interactions with Dextroamphetamine
Dextroamphetamine may interact with other medicines. These interactions can cause serious side effects. Tell your healthcare professional about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take, especially:
* Those used to treat depression, known as tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)
* Antacids
* Those used to treat urinary problems
* Diuretics
* Propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), a pain medicine
