Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 26, 2012

Dexedrine

Narcolepsy »

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the main symptom and is present in 100% of patients with narcolepsy. Other primary symptoms of narcolepsy include:

loss of muscle tone (cataplexy),
distorted perceptions (hypnagogic hallucinations), and
inability to move or talk (sleep paralysis).

Additional symptoms include disturbed nocturnal sleep and automatic behavior (patients carry out certain actions without conscious awareness). All of the symptoms of narcolepsy may be present in various combinations and degrees of severity.

Narcolepsy usually begins in teenagers or young adults and affects both sexes equally. The first symptom to appear is excessive daytime sleepiness, which may remain unrecognized for a long time in that it develops gradually over time. The other symptoms can follow excessive daytime sleepiness by months...

Read the Narcolepsy article »

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Dexedrine

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Dexedrine Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my doctor before taking dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)?

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 (Dexedrine)?

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.

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