In the United States, people are suffering from sleeping problems and ADHD. Around 25% to 50% of individuals suffer from various mental disorders and use Dexedrine medication to manage them. So, from this blog, you can get to know what is dexedrine used for with its relevant information.
So, let’s start the blog with an introduction to the medicine that helps treat below mentioned mental disorders with some general information about their uses, dose, and dosage strengths, side effects, and precautions.
What is Dexedrine?
Dexedrine contains the active ingredient dextroamphetamine, which belongs to the class of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They increase the effectiveness of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This medication is generally used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). It works by changing the central natural substance in the brain which helps in increasing your ability to pay attention and also control your behaviour. It also treats sleeping disorders (narcolepsy).
As per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is a controlled substance (Schedule II stimulant drug). Because it can be abused or lead to dependence in the patients. It is a brand name and dextroamphetamine is a generic version. The generic variant of this brand-name medication has been approved by the FDA.
How does it work?
Dexedrine works directly on the central nervous system (CNS) and increases brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), such as dopamine and norepinephrine. It can improve focus, attention, and concentration power in an individual. It also helps in reducing hyperactivity and impulsive behavior in the patients.
Dexedrine works in treating narcolepsy (sleeping disorder) by acting as a stimulant in the brain. It also helps you to stay awake during the daytime.
Uses: What is Dexedrine used for?
This drug is used in many ways which are as follows-
- Dexedrine pills are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD can be diagnosed at the time of childhood but may remain till adulthood in some cases. The various symptoms of ADHD are impulsive behavior, trouble paying attention, talkativeness, fidgeting, interruption in conversation, etc.
- It is also recommended for those patients who are suffering from sleeping disorder problems like narcolepsy and insomnia etc. People with narcolepsy often fall asleep without warning at unexpected times.
Dose & Dosage Instructions:
Dexedrine is available in various forms with various dosage strengths as follows-
Forms and Strengths of Dexedrine Drug:-
Form:- It is available in Tablet and Spansule capsule form.
Strengths:- The various strengths of Dexedrine tablets and capsules are as follows:
- Dexedrine tablet:- 5 mg
- Spansule capsule Dexedrine 5 mg
- Dexedrine 10 mg Spansule capsule
- Dexedrine 15 mg Spansule capsule
Dosage of Dexedrine:-
A healthcare professional can change the dosage strength, depending on the patient’s severity of the pain, age, and other health-related factors.
For Narcolepsy patients
- Children 6 to 12 years:- The starting dose of this medicine is 5 mg which is recommended to patients, and a doctor can increase the daily dose by 5 mg every week.
- Above 12 years:- A dose of 10 mg is advised on a regular basis. After every week a healthcare expert can increase the dose to 10 mg.
The Doctor can increase the dose every week as per the patient’s health condition. They prescribe spansule capsules once a day as per the doctor’s recommendation.
For ADHD patients
- Children of age (0 to 3 years):- This age group’s children cannot take this ADHD medication.
- Children of age (3 to 5 years): The doctor recommends an initial dose of 2.5 mg. The dose can be increased by 2.5 mg per day every week.
- Children of age (6 years and above):- A dose of 5 mg once or twice on a regular basis. The 40 mg dosage is the maximum dose.
How Dexedrine Drug is Taken?
A doctor can prescribe Dexedrine drugs when treating ADHD and narcolepsy in the patients. Individuals should always follow some instructions that are as follows-
- Patients can take this drug with or without food.
- A dose should be taken early in the morning or in the daytime to prevent sleepiness.
- You should avoid taking juice with the Dexedrine drug.
- Individuals should avoid taking double doses or missed doses at the same time.
How to Store Dexedrine Drugs?
There are several ways to store dexedrine medication as follows-
- Store the drugs at room temperature.
- Store the medication in a plastic container, away from heat, light, and moisture.
- Always keep medicine in a safe place and keep the drug out of children’s and pets’ reach. Because misuse of this drug can be dangerous.
Interactions with other Drugs:
This medicine interacts with many other drugs. Consult your doctor, If you use this medication with another drug. It may interact with other medications.
Doctors recommend not to use medications with Dexedrine including Sibutramine (appetite suppressant), Isocarboxazid, Fluoxetine, Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), Vitamin B12, Vyvanse, Ketobemidone, Isoproterenol Hydrochloride, Ozanimod, Tranylcypromine( monoamine oxidase inhibitors), Escitalopram, Dihydrocodeine (opioid analgesic), Rasagiline, Methylene blue, Ritalin, Xanax, Safinamide, Phenelzine, Linezolid, Procarbazine, Selegiline, Pantoprazole (Proton pump inhibitor), Vitamin D3, Wellbutrin XL, Zoloft, Sodium Bicarbonate, Lamotrigine (Lamictal XR), Prednisone, Seroquel and Trazodone (Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor).
Some Diseases which interact with Dexedrine are Liver disease, Diabetics, Renal dysfunction, Hypertension, Cardiac disease, Agitation, Psychiatric disorder, Glaucoma
Side Effects of Dexedrine Medication:
Dexedrine carries various risk factors, such as dependence, overdose, and side effects. If patients may experience any of these risk factors or any side effects after taking this drug, then they should reach a doctor for immediate medical consultation.
Common Side Effects
- Weight Loss
- Upset Stomach
- Dizziness
- Dry Mouth
- Loss of Appetite
- Sleeping Problems
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Headache
- Bad Taste in Your Mouth
- Nervousness
- Hair Loss
Serious Side Effects
- Agitation
- Delusions
- Blurred Vision
- Faintness
- Shakiness of Body Parts
- Breathing Problems
- Swelling of Leg and Feet
- Palpitation
- Seizures
- Irregular of Heartbeat
- Allergic Reactions
Precautions:
- Before using this drug, inform to your healthcare expert about your medical history.
- Avoid drinking alcohol as it can make an individual more dizzy.
- Try to check your blood pressure regularly because this drug may cause high blood pressure in the patients.
- In some cases, Dexedrine may affect the growth of children and teens. Patients are advised for a regular check-up of height and weight. If height and weight are not increasing, the patient should visit a healthcare professional.
- Consult your doctor, if you face issues such as itching, rashes, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling in the face, hand, or mouth, blurred vision, and changes in behavior.
- Avoid taking this medication immediately, if you have issues such as anxiety, restlessness, heartbeat, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- For women, avoid breastfeeding while consuming this medication.
Conclusion:
In concluding the blog, we have seen what is Dexedrine used for with its all relevant information. As Dexedrine is used to treat those mental disorders but a patient may face both advantages and disadvantages. So, it is important to take this medicine with a consultation with healthcare professionals. Hope, you will get the proper information from this blog!
