Dextroamphetamine (oral route)
Available brands
Dexedrine, Dexedrine Spansules, Dextrostat, Liquadd, ProCentra, Zenzedi
About this medication
Dextroamphetamine is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (sleep disorder). It belongs to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. Dextroamphetamine works in the treatment of ADHD by increasing attention and decreasing restlessness in children and adults who are overactive, cannot concentrate for very long, or are easily distracted and impulsive. This medicine is used as part of a total treatment program that also includes social, educational, and psychological treatment. This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before using this medication
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of dextroamphetamine tablets to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children younger than 3 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Dextroamphetamineextended-release capsuleandsustained-release capsuleare not recommended to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children younger than 6 years of age. Procentra®andZenzedi®are not recommended to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children younger than 3 years of age. No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of dextroamphetamine in geriatric patients. Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using this medicine. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
How to use this medication
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If too much is taken, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence). If you or your child feel that the medicine is not working properly after you have taken it for several weeks, check with your doctor first and do not increase the dose. This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. If you or your child use theoral liquidortabletform of this medicine, and you take it 2 or 3 times a day. Take the first dose in the morning. The other doses may be taken during the day with 4 to 6 hours between doses. It is best to take theextended-release capsuleorsustained-release capsulein the morning. Taking this medicine in the afternoon or evening could make it harder for you to fall asleep. Swallow thesustained-release capsulewhole. Do not crush, break, or chew it. Measure theoral liquidmedicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
footer.disclaimer