Health Library

Dextroamphetamine (By mouth)

Dextroamphetamine (dex-troe-am-FET-a-meen)

Treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

Brand Name(s):

Dexedrine Spansule, ProCentra, Zenzedi

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Long Acting Capsule, Liquid, Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Short-acting tablet: Take your last dose of the day at least 6 hours before bedtime, unless your doctor gives you other instructions.
• Extended-release capsule: It is best to take this medicine in the morning. You may have trouble falling asleep at night if you take it in the afternoon or evening.
• Swallow the extended-release capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine if you are using or have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 14 days.
• Some foods and medicines can affect how dextroamphetamine works. Tell your doctor if you are also using any of the following:
  • Acetazolamide, ammonium chloride, antacids, ascorbic acid, buspirone, chlorpromazine, ethosuximide, fentanyl, glutamic acid, guanethidine, haloperidol, hydrochlorothiazide, lithium, meperidine, methenamine, norepinephrine, omeprazole, phenobarbital, phenytoin, propoxyphene, quinidine, reserpine, ritonavir, sodium acid phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, St John's wort, tramadol
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Cold or allergy medicine
  • Medicine to treat depression (including desipramine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, protriptyline, TCAs)
  • Stomach medicine (including omeprazole)
  • Triptan medicine to treat migraine headaches
  • Tryptophan supplement
• Fruit juice and vitamin C can affect how your body absorbs this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart or blood vessel disease, heart rhythm problems, high blood pressure, heart failure, thyroid problems, Tourette syndrome, or a history of heart attack, stroke, or seizures. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of depression, bipolar disorder, mental health problems, or drug or alcohol use disorder.
• Do not breastfeed during treatment with this medicine.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Sudden death in people who have serious heart problems (including a heart defect)
  • Serious heart or blood vessel problems, including heart attack and stroke (especially in people who already have heart problems)
  • High blood pressure
  • Unusual changes in behavior or moods
  • Slow growth in children
  • Seizures
  • Peripheral vasculopathy (a blood circulation problem), including Raynaud phenomenon
  • Serotonin syndrome (when used with certain medicines)
  • Onset or worsening of motor or verbal tics (including Tourette syndrome)
• This medicine may make you dizzy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, fever, muscle spasms, twitching
• Blurred vision, lightheadedness or fainting, muscle cramps, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, sweating, trouble breathing
• Chest pain that may spread, fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
• Extreme energy or restlessness, confusion, agitation, unusual moods or behaviors
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body, pain in your lower leg
• Seizures
• Slow growth or weight loss in children
• Sores, coldness, numbness, color changes or unexplained wounds on your fingers or toes
• Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dry mouth
• Loss of appetite, weight loss
• Trouble sleeping

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024