Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine Sulfate) - Summary

DEXEDRINE SUMMARY

DEXEDRINE (dextroamphetamine sulfate) is the dextro isomer of the compound d,l -amphetamine sulfate, a sym-pathomimetic amine of the amphetamine group.

DEXEDRINE is indicated:

1. In Narcolepsy.
2. In Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, as an integral part of a total treatment program that typically includes other remedial measures (psychological, educational, social) for a stabilizing effect in pediatric patients (ages 3 years to 16 years) with a behavioral syndrome characterized by the following group of developmentally inappropriate symptoms: Moderate to severe distractibility, short attention span, hyperactivity, emotional lability, and impulsivity. The diagnosis of this syndrome should not be made with finality when these symptoms are only of comparatively recent origin. Nonlocalizing (soft) neurological signs, learning disability, and abnormal EEG may or may not be present, and a diagnosis of central nervous system dysfunction may or may not be warranted.

See all Dexedrine indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine)

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of sustained-release dextroamphetamine for treatment of methamphetamine addiction. [2011.02]
Sixty treatment-seeking individuals with methamphetamine (MA) dependence entered a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of oral dextroamphetamine (d-AMP) as a replacement therapy for MA dependence. The subjects took 60 mg sustained-release d-AMP for 8 weeks, during which time they received eight 50-min sessions of individual psychotherapy...

Minocycline attenuates subjective rewarding effects of dextroamphetamine in humans. [2011.01]
RATIONALE: Minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, interacts with brain glutamate and dopamine neurotransmission. In preclinical studies, minocycline attenuated amphetamine-induced acute dopamine release and subsequent behavioral sensitization. The goal of this study was to determine minocycline's effects on the acute physiological, behavioral, and subjective responses to dextroamphetamine (DAMP) in healthy volunteers... CONCLUSIONS: These findings warrant further studies examining the potential use of minocycline for stimulant addiction.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of sustained-release dextroamphetamine for treatment of methamphetamine addiction. [2011]
Sixty treatment-seeking individuals with methamphetamine (MA) dependence entered a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of oral dextroamphetamine (d-AMP) as a replacement therapy for MA dependence. The subjects took 60 mg sustained-release d-AMP for 8 weeks, during which time they received eight 50-min sessions of individual psychotherapy...

Double-blind study of dextroamphetamine versus caffeine augmentation for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder. [2009.11]
CONCLUSIONS: Larger, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of both d-amphetamine and caffeine augmentation are needed in OCD subjects inadequately responsive to adequate doses of an SSRI or SNRI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00363298. Copyright 2009 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

Sustaining executive functions during sleep deprivation: A comparison of caffeine, dextroamphetamine, and modafinil. [2009.02.01]
OBJECTIVES: Stimulant medications appear effective at restoring simple alertness and psychomotor vigilance in sleep deprived individuals, but it is not clear whether these medications are effective at restoring higher order complex cognitive capacities such as planning, sequencing, and decision making... CONCLUSIONS: Although comparisons across tasks cannot be made due to the different times of administration, within-task comparisons suggest that, at the doses tested here, each stimulant may produce differential advantages depending on the cognitive demands of the task.

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Clinical Trials Related to Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine)

Study to Evaluate Safety & Efficacy of d-Amphetamine Transdermal System Compared to Placebo in Children & Adolescents With ADHD [Recruiting]
This study will evaluate safety and efficacy of d-Amphetamine Transdermal System for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children and adolescents.

Spectroscopic Imaging at 4T: A Drug Challenge Study [Recruiting]
An advanced technique for rapid magnetic resonance proton spectroscopic imaging (1H-MRSI) will be employed in a drug challenge study in healthy volunteers to spatially map and measure acute changes in the brain chemicals GABA, glutamate and glutamine after administration of a drug. Three condition will be tested in a double-blind fashion, i)depressant, ii)stimulant, iii)placebo. It is hypothesized that unique and reproducible spatial and directional metabolic response patterns will be observed, unique to each condition within the brain.

Tranylcypromine, Tranylcypromine Plus Dextroamphetamine and Tranylcypromine Plus Triiodothyronine as Treatment for Refractory Depression [Terminated]
This pilot study will assess the efficacy of several sequential pharmacological treatments for patients with Refractory Depression.

Pilot Study Examining Effect for Dextroamphetamine to Treat Cocaine Dependence Plus Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) [Recruiting]
Dextroamphetamine is commonly used to treat ADHD, and recent evidence suggests that this medication may decrease drug use in individuals dependent on cocaine. Thus, the present pilot study will determine the ability of dextroamphetamine to treat individuals with both cocaine dependence and ADHD.

Dextro-Amphetamine Versus Caffeine in Treatment-Resistant OCD [Active, not recruiting]
The study hypothesis is that dextro-amphetamine (d-amphetamine) will be safe and effective when used to augment treatment for OCD, and that tolerance (loss of therapeutic effect) to the medication will not develop over a period of several weeks.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) Side Effects

Drug Ineffective (4),  Hypertension (4),  Treatment Noncompliance (3),  Cardiac Valve Disease (3),  Dyspnoea Exertional (3),  Activities of Daily Living Impaired (3),  Aortic Valve Incompetence (3),  Suicidal Ideation (2),  Depression (2),  Hypersomnia (2), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Dexedrine review by 32 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Moderate Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		ADHD
Dosage & duration:		15 mg taken twice daily for the period of 5 years
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		ability to concentrate and order thoughts, capacity to work effectively, organise home life, I was able to start tertiary study again and complete assignments and exams where I wasn't able to before due to concentration and motivation issues caused by my condition
Side effects:		clenching of jaw, loss of appetite at first, senses felt a bit strained at the end of the day, at times I felt a bit overwhelmed and heart would beat pretty fast - this was at least in part due to the medication,
Comments:		ongoing treatment for ADHD, originally I was prescribed 40 mg per day but dropped it to 30 mg when I had a few instances of heart palpitations and panic attacks

Dexedrine review by 46 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Ineffective
Side effects:		Moderate Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		ADD
Dosage & duration:		15mg taken everyday for the period of 3 months
Other conditions:		OCD
Other drugs taken:		Effexor
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Dexedrine as well as effexor, I found for my add works well the first few times, then the efficacy wears off because of tolerance. So now I take supplements, and find they work just as well but take 2 months to feel effects.
Side effects:		when my doctor increase dexedrine to 30 mg, I got speed but not the focus and I became OCD-seriously. It kept me up all night. Effexor which i took for 10 years numbs you out. I was on 75 mg for add and depression. I did cure depression but not really the add.
Comments:		already described above. I do not believe in pharmacuticals for neurological disorders. Supplements can provide benefits, but the process is long and expensive. There is not standard cure for any central nervous condition. It takes time and reading and research, and taking a pill is only a short term solution. I had allergies and my homeopathic doctor cleared my pathways that were not getting nutrients to my brain. I am now dieting and staying away from gluten and lactose and processed food. I'm doing detoxing and find with all the natural changes I have increased energy and do not have to depend on drugs. Who know what the side effects are? I could have aged my liver.

Dexedrine review by 46 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Ineffective
Side effects:		Moderate Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		ADD
Dosage & duration:		15mg taken everyday for the period of 3 months
Other conditions:		OCD
Other drugs taken:		Effexor
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Dexedrine as well as effexor, I found for my add works well the first few times, then the efficacy wears off because of tolerance. So now I take supplements, and find they work just as well but take 2 months to feel effects.
Side effects:		when my doctor increase dexedrine to 30 mg, I got speed but not the focus and I became OCD-seriously. It kept me up all night. Effexor which i took for 10 years numbs you out. I was on 75 mg for add and depression. I did cure depression but not really the add.
Comments:		already described above. I do not believe in pharmacuticals for neurological disorders. Supplements can provide benefits, but the process is long and expensive. There is not standard cure for any central nervous condition. It takes time and reading and research, and taking a pill is only a short term solution. I had allergies and my homeopathic doctor cleared my pathways that were not getting nutrients to my brain. I am now dieting and staying away from gluten and lactose and processed food. I'm doing detoxing and find with all the natural changes I have increased energy and do not have to depend on drugs. Who know what the side effects are? I could have aged my liver.