Summary
Commonly reported side effects of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine include: headache, insomnia, weight loss, anorexia, and xerostomia. Other side effects include: nausea, and emotional lability. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to amphetamine / dextroamphetamine: oral capsule extended release, oral tablet.
Warning
Oral route (Tablet)
Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse and administration for prolonged periods of time may lead to drug dependence. Misuse of amphetamines may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse reactions.
Oral route (Capsule, Extended Release)
CNS stimulants, including dextroamphetamine/amphetamine extended-release capsules, other amphetamine-containing products, and methylphenidate, have a high potential for abuse and dependence. Assess the risk of abuse prior to prescribing and monitor for signs of abuse and dependence while on therapy.
Serious side effects
Along with its needed effects, amphetamine / dextroamphetamine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking amphetamine / dextroamphetamine:
More common
- Bladder pain
- bloody or cloudy urine
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- frequent urge to urinate
- lower back or side pain
Less common
- Chills
- cough
- diarrhea
- fever
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- headache
- hoarseness
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- muscle aches and pains
- nausea
- runny nose
- shivering
- sore throat
- sweating
- trouble sleeping
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Incidence not known
- Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- chest pain or discomfort
- confusion
- dark urine
- difficulty breathing
- difficulty with speaking
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- double vision
- faintness
- inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
- inability to speak
- itching, skin rash
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
- loss of bladder control
- muscle cramps or stiffness
- muscle spasm or jerking of the arms and legs
- pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- seizures
- slow speech
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- sudden loss of consciousness
- swelling of the feet or lower legs
- tightness in the chest
- uncontrolled repeated movements (tics)
- uncontrolled vocal outbursts
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Other side effects
Some side effects of amphetamine / dextroamphetamine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Anxiety
- dry mouth
- lack or loss of strength
- stomach pain
- weight loss
Incidence not known
- Constipation
- decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- false or unusual sense of well-being
- inability to have or keep an erection
- loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- twitching, twisting, uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to amphetamine / dextroamphetamine: oral capsule extended release, oral tablet.
Metabolic
Very common (10% or more): Appetite loss (up to 36%), weight loss (up to 10%)
Frequency not reported: Anorexia[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Dry mouth (up to 35%), abdominal pain (up to 14%)
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia
Frequency not reported: Unpleasant taste, constipation, other GI disturbances[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Very common (10% or more): Transient blood pressure elevations (up to 35%)
Common (1% to 10%): Tachycardia, palpitation
Frequency not reported: Cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, Raynaud's phenomenon[Ref]
Psychiatric
Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (up to 27%), nervousness (up to 13%)
Common (1% to 10%): Emotional lability, agitation, anxiety
Frequency not reported: Psychotic episodes, irritability, euphoria, dysphoria, restlessness, depression, aggression, anger, logorrhea, dermatillomania[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 26%)
Common (1% to 10%): Somnolence, dizziness, twitching, speech disorder (e.g., stuttering, excessive speech)
Frequency not reported: Overstimulation, paresthesia/formication, dyskinesia, tremor, exacerbation of motor/phonic tics and Tourette's syndrome[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Photosensitivity reaction, sweating
Frequency not reported: Urticaria, rash, alopecia, serious skin rashes (e.g., Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis)[Ref]
Endocrine
Common (1% to 10%): Decreased libido, dysmenorrhea, impotence
Frequency not reported: Frequent or prolonged erections[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Fever, infection, accidental injury, asthenia/fatigue, tooth disorder (e.g., teeth clenching, tooth infection)
Frequency not reported: Sudden death, bruxism[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., angioedema, anaphylaxis)[Ref]
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, mydriasis[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Postmarketing reports: Rhabdomyolysis[Ref]
