Dexedrine Spansule

What Is Dexedrine Spansule?

Dexedrine Spansule (dextroamphetamine sulfate) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dexedrine Spansule is available in generic form.

What Are Side Effects of Dexedrine Spansule?

Common side effects of Dexedrine Spansule include:

• nausea,
• stomach upset,
• cramps,
• loss of appetite,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• dry mouth or unpleasant taste in your mouth,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• nervousness,
• dizziness,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• sweating,
• weight loss,
• irritability,
• restlessness,
• loss of interest in sex,
• impotence, or
• difficulty having an orgasm.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Dexedrine Spansule including:

• numbness/pain/skin color change/sensitivity to temperature in the fingers or toes,
• mental/mood/behavior changes (such as agitation, aggression, mood swings, depression, hallucinations, abnormal thoughts/behavior, thoughts of suicide),
• uncontrolled movements,
• muscle twitching or shaking,
• outbursts of words or sounds,
• swelling ankles or feet,
• extreme tiredness,
• significant unexplained weight loss, or
• frequent or prolonged erections (in males).

The usual dose of Dexedrine to treat narcolepsy is 5 to 60 mg per day in divided doses, depending on the patient response. For treatment of ADHD in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older, start with 5 mg once or twice daily; daily dosage may be raised by a physician. Dexedrine may interact with blood pressure medications, diuretics (water pills), antihistamines, acetazolamide, chlorpromazine, ethosuximide, guanethidine, haloperidol, lithium, methenamine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer), or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. Dexedrine should be used only if prescribed during pregnancy. Infants born to mothers who are dependent on this medication may be born too soon (premature) and have low birth weight. They may also have withdrawal symptoms. Tell your doctor if you notice mood changes, agitation, or unusual tiredness in your newborn. This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breastfeeding is not recommended. Dexedrine may be habit-forming. Withdrawal symptoms may occur after stopping this drug.

Our Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine sulfate) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

 

Dexedrine Spansule Consumer Information

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• signs of heart problems--chest pain, trouble breathing, feeling like you might pass out;
• signs of psychosis--hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), new behavior problems, aggression, hostility, paranoia;
• signs of circulation problems--numbness, pain, cold feeling, unexplained wounds, or skin color changes (pale, red, or blue appearance) in your fingers or toes;
• a seizure (convulsions);
• muscle twitches (tics); or
• changes in your vision.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Dextroamphetamine can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.

Common side effects may include:

• dry mouth, upset stomach, loss of appetite, weight loss;
• headache, dizziness;
• tremors, fast heartbeats; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Dexedrine Spansule (Dextroamphetamine Capsules)

 

Dexedrine Spansule Professional Information

SIDE EFFECTS

Cardiovascular

Palpitations, tachycardia, elevation of blood pressure. There have been isolated reports of cardiomyopathy associated with chronic amphetamine use.

Central Nervous System

Psychotic episodes at recommended doses (rare), overstimulation, restlessness, dizziness, insomnia, euphoria, dyskinesia, dysphoria, tremor, headache, exacerbation of motor and phonic tics, and Tourette's syndrome.

Gastrointestinal

Dryness of the mouth, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, constipation, other gastrointestinal disturbances. Anorexia and weight loss may occur as undesirable effects.

Allergic

Urticaria.

Endocrine

Impotence, changes in libido, frequent or prolonged erections.

Musculoskeletal

Rhabdomyolysis.

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

Alopecia.

Drug Abuse And Dependence

Dextroamphetamine sulfate is a Schedule II controlled substance. Amphetamines have been extensively abused. Tolerance, extreme psychological dependence and severe social disability have occurred. There are reports of patients who have increased the dosage to many times that recommended. Abrupt cessation following prolonged high dosage administration results in extreme fatigue and mental depression; changes are also noted on the sleep EEG. Manifestations of chronic intoxication with amphetamines include severe dermatoses, marked insomnia, irritability, hyperactivity, and personality changes. The most severe manifestation of chronic intoxication is psychosis, often clinically indistinguishable from schizophrenia. This is rare with oral amphetamines.

Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Dexedrine Spansule (Dextroamphetamine Capsules)