Note: This document contains side effect information about dextroamphetamine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Dexedrine.
Applies to dextroamphetamine: oral capsule extended release, oral solution, oral tablet. Other dosage forms:
- transdermal patch extended release
Warning
Oral route (Capsule, Extended Release)
Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse. Administration of amphetamines for prolonged periods of time may lead to drug dependence and must be avoided. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of subjects obtaining amphetamines for non-therapeutic use or distribution to others, and the drugs should be prescribed or dispensed sparingly.Misuse of amphetamines may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events.
Oral route (Solution)
Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse. Administration of amphetamines for prolonged periods of time may lead to drug dependence and must be avoided. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of subjects obtaining amphetamines for non-therapeutic use or distribution to others, and the drugs should be prescribed or dispensed sparingly.Misuse of amphetamines may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events.
Oral route (Tablet)
Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse. Administration of amphetamines for prolonged periods of time may lead to drug dependence and must be avoided. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of subjects obtaining amphetamines for non-therapeutic use or distribution to others, and the drugs should be prescribed or dispensed sparingly.Misuse of amphetamines may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events.
Serious side effects of Dexedrine
Along with its needed effects, dextroamphetamine (the active ingredient contained in Dexedrine) 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 dextroamphetamine:
Rare
- Agitation
- delusions
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
Incidence not known
- Blurred vision
- chest discomfort or pain
- constipation
- diarrhea
- difficulty breathing
- dizziness
- faintness
- false or unusual sense of well-being
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- headache
- nausea
- pounding in the ears
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- stomach pain
- swelling of the feet or lower legs
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
- twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
- unable to sleep
- uncontrolled vocal outbursts and/or tics (uncontrolled repeated body movements)
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking dextroamphetamine:
Symptoms of overdose
- Aggressive
- angry
- confusion
- dark urine
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fainting
- fast breathing
- fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- loss of consciousness
- muscle cramps, spasms, pain, or stiffness
- nausea
- restlessness
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- seizures
- stomach cramps
- sweating
- tremor
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Other side effects of Dexedrine
Some side effects of 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:
Incidence not known
- Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- change in taste
- decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- dry mouth
- hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
- inability to have or keep an erection
- indigestion
- loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- passing of gas
- redness of the skin
- weight loss
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to dextroamphetamine: oral capsule extended release, oral solution, oral tablet, transdermal film.
Metabolic
Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite, reduced weight gain, weight loss
Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia
Frequency not reported: Acidosis[Ref]
Psychiatric
Very common (10% or more): Insomnia, nervousness
Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal behavior, aggression/hostility, excitation, anxiety, depression, irritability
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Psychotic episodes/psychosis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Suicidal behavior (including completed suicide), mania, hallucinations
Frequency not reported: Overstimulation, restlessness, euphoria, dysphoria, confusion, dependence, emotional lability, impaired cognitive test performance, altered libido, night terrors, obsessive-compulsive behavior, panic states, paranoia[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Arrhythmia, palpitations, tachycardia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Angina pectoris
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac arrest
Frequency not reported: Blood pressure and heart rate changes (usually elevated), cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, chest pain, cardiovascular collapse, Raynaud's phenomenon[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain and cramps, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth
Frequency not reported: Ischemic colitis, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, constipation, other gastrointestinal disturbances[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Growth retardation
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Muscle cramps
Frequency not reported: Rhabdomyolysis[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Vertigo, dyskinesia, headache, hyperactivity
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Tourette syndrome, tics, exacerbation of pre-existing motor and phonic tics, convulsions, choreoathetoid movements, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral vasculitis and/or occlusion, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
Frequency not reported: Dizziness, tremor, ataxia, dysgeusia, concentration difficulties, hyperreflexia, stroke[Ref]
Dermatologic
Rare (less than 0.1%): Rash, urticaria
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, fixed drug eruption
Frequency not reported: Sweating, alopecia[Ref]
Ocular
Rare (less than 0.1%): Visual accommodation difficulties, blurred vision, mydriasis[Ref]
Other
Rare (less than 0.1%): Fatigue
Frequency not reported: Hyperpyrexia, sudden death[Ref]
Hematologic
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura[Ref]
Hepatic
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Abnormal liver function ranging from hepatic enzyme elevations to hepatic coma[Ref]
Endocrine
Frequency not reported: Impotence, libido changes, frequent or prolonged erections[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., angioedema and anaphylaxis)[Ref]
Renal
Frequency not reported: Renal damage[Ref]