What is dextroamphetamine?
Dextroamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant. It affects chemicals in the brain and
nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
Dextroamphetamine is used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD).
Dextroamphetamine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What does dextroamphetamine look like?
Dextroamphetamine 5 mg-BAR
Dextroamphetamine 10 mg-MA
Dextroamphetamine 10 mg SR-BAR
Dextroamphetamine 10 mg-BAR
Dextroamphetamine 5 mg SR-BAR
Dextroamphetamine 5 mg-MAL
Dextroamphetamine 15 mg SR-BAR
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dextroamphetamine?
Do not use dextroamphetamine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid
(Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl,
Emsam) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take
dextroamphetamine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to dextroamphetamine or if you
have:
-
heart disease or moderate to severe high blood pressure
(hypertension);
-
arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries);
-
overactive thyroid;
-
glaucoma;
-
severe anxiety, tension, or agitation; or
-
if you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and adolescents
with serious heart problems or congenital heart defects. Before taking dextroamphetamine, tell your
doctor if you have:
-
a congenital heart defect;
-
high blood pressure;
-
heart failure, heart rhythm disorder, or recent heart attack;
-
a personal or family history of mental illness, psychotic
disorder, bipolar illness, depression, or suicide attempt;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
-
an allergy to dyes used in drugs or manufactured foods; or
-
tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is
harmful to an unborn baby. Dextroamphetamine may cause premature birth, low birth weight, or
withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes dextroamphetamine during pregnancy. Before
taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Dextroamphetamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use
this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Long-term use of dextroamphetamine can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the child
using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 3 years old without the advice of a
doctor.
How should I take dextroamphetamine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
Do not take dextroamphetamine in the evening because it may cause sleep problems (insomnia).
Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole.
Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon.
If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to see you on a
regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Dextroamphetamine can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using dextroamphetamine.
Store dextroamphetamine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Dextroamphetamine is a drug of abuse and may be habit-forming. Keep track of how
many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. You should be aware if any person in
the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Using this
medication improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.
What happens if I miss a dose of dextroamphetamine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, or if it is
already evening, skip the missed dose and take the medicine the next morning. Taking this medicine
late in the day can cause sleep problems.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the
missed dose.
Where can I get more information about dextroamphetamine?
Your pharmacist has information about dextroamphetamine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of dextroamphetamine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using dextroamphetamine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious
side effects:
-
fast or pounding heartbeats;
-
feeling light-headed, fainting;
-
dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred
vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven
heartbeats, seizure); or
-
tremor, restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or
motor tics (muscle twitches).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
headache or dizziness;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;
-
diarrhea, constipation;
-
loss of appetite, weight loss; or
-
loss of interest in sex, impotence, or difficulty having an
orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about dextroamphetamine?
Do not use dextroamphetamine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid
(Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl,
Emsam) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take
dextroamphetamine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to dextroamphetamine, or if you have
hardened arteries (arteriosclerosis), heart disease, moderate to severe high blood pressure
(hypertension), overactive thyroid, glaucoma, severe anxiety or agitation, or a history of drug or alcohol
addiction.
Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and adolescents with serious heart
problems or congenital heart defects. Before taking dextroamphetamine, tell your doctor if you have
any type of heart problems.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 3 years old without the advice of a
doctor.
Long-term use of dextroamphetamine can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the child
using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.
Dextroamphetamine is a drug of abuse and may be habit-forming. Keep track of how
many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. You should be aware if any person in
the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Using this
medication improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.
What should I avoid while taking dextroamphetamine?
Dextroamphetamine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Do not take dextroamphetamine late in the day. A dose taken too late in the day can cause
sleep problems (insomnia).
Avoid drinking fruit juices or taking vitamin C at the same time you take dextroamphetamine.
These can make your body absorb less of the medicine.
What other drugs will affect dextroamphetamine?
Before taking dextroamphetamine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
blood pressure medications;
-
a diuretic (water pill);
-
cold or allergy medicines (antihistamines);
-
acetazolamide (Diamox);
-
chlorpromazine (Thorazine);
-
ethosuximide (Zarontin);
-
guanethidine (Ismelin);
-
haloperidol (Haldol);
-
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
-
methenamine (Hiprex, Mandelamine, Urex);
-
phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
-
propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet);
-
reserpine;
-
sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer); or
-
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine
(Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or
nortriptyline (Pamelor).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
dextroamphetamine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not
start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of dextroamphetamine?
