Adult Dosing
Narcolepsy
- Immediate release
- Initial dose: 10 mg PO qam; raise in increments of 10 mg/day qwk until an optimal response is obtained
- Usual dose: 5-60 mg/day PO divided qd-tid
- Max: 60 mg/day
- Extended release
- Initial dose: 10 mg PO qam; raise in increments of 10 mg/day qwk until an optimal response is obtained
- Usual dose: 5-60 mg/day
- Max: 60 mg/day
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [Not FDA approved]
- Immediate release
- Initial dose: 5 mg PO qam; raise in increments of 5 mg/day qwk until an optimal response is obtained
- Usual dose: 5-40 mg/day
- Max: 60 mg/day
Note: Administer divided doses at 4-6 hrs interval. Doses >40 mg/day are rarely effective
- Extended release
- Initial dose: 5 mg PO qam; raise in increments of 5 mg/day qwk until an optimal response is obtained
- Usual dose: 5-40 mg/day
- Max: 60 mg/day
Obesity [Not FDA approved]
- Immediate-release
- 5-10 mg PO tid
- Max: 30 mg/day
- Extended release
- 5-15 mg PO qam
- Max: 30 mg/day
Note: Administer 30-60 mins before meals
Pediatric Dosing
Narcolepsy
- Immediate release
- 6-12 yrs
- Initial dose: 5 mg PO qam; raise in increments of 5 mg/day qwk until an optimal response is obtained
- Usual dose: 5-60 mg/day PO divided qd-tid
- Max: 60 mg/day
- >12 yrs
- Initial dose: 10 mg PO qam; raise in increments of 10 mg/day qwk until an optimal response is obtained
- Usual dose: 5-60 mg/day PO divided qd-tid
- Max: 60 mg/day
- Extended release
- 6-12 yrs
- Initial dose: 5 mg PO qam; raise in increments of 5 mg/day qwk until an optimal response is obtained
- Usual dose: 5-60 mg/day
- Max: 60 mg/day
- >12 yrs
- Initial dose: 10 mg PO qam; raise in increments of 10 mg/day qwk until an optimal response is obtained
- Usual dose: 5-60 mg/day
- Max: 60 mg/day
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Immediate release
- 3-5 yrs
- Start: 2.5 mg PO qam; raise in increments of 2.5 mg/day qwk until an optimal response is obtained
- Usual dose: 2.5-40 mg/day PO divided qd-tid
- Max: 40 mg/day
- >6 yrs
- Initial dose: 5 mg PO qam; raise in increments of 5 mg/day qwk until an optimal response is obtained
- Usual dose: 5-40 mg/day PO divided qd-tid
- Max: 60 mg/day
Note: Administer divided doses at 4-6 hrs interval. Doses >40 mg/day are rarely effective
- Extended release
- >6 yrs
- Initial dose: 5 mg PO qam; raise in increments of 5 mg/day qwk until an optimal response is obtained
- Usual dose: 5-40 mg/day
- Max: 60 mg/day
Obesity [Not FDA approved]
- Immediate-release
- >12 yrs
- 5-10 mg PO tid
- Max: 30 mg/day
- Extended release
- >12 yrs
- 5-15 mg PO qam
- Max: 30 mg/day
Note: Administer 30-60 mins before meals
[Outline]
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Sudden deaths have occurred in children and adolescents with structural cardiac abnormalities or other serious heart problems treated with CNS stimulants. Avoid use in children or adolescents with known serious structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious heart rhythm abnormalities, or other serious cardiac problems
- Sudden death, stroke, and myocardial infarction have occurred in adults taking stimulant drugs at usual doses for ADHD. Avoid use in adults having serious structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious heart rhythm abnormalities, coronary artery disease, or other serious cardiac problems
- Therapy may increase average blood pressure (about 2-4 mm Hg) and average heart rate (about 3-6 bpm). Monitor patients for larger changes in heart rate and blood pressure. Exercise caution when treating patients with underlying medical conditions that might be compromised by increases in blood pressure or heart rate
- Consider undertaking complete history including assessment for a familial history of sudden death or ventricular arrhythmia and perform physical examination to assess for the presence of cardiac disease and further cardiac evaluation may be necessary if findings suggest such disease
- Exacerbation of symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder have occurred in patients with a pre-existing psychotic disorder. Adequate care is necessary in using stimulants to treat ADHD in patients with comorbid bipolar disorder as induction of a mixed/manic episode has occurred. Undertake detailed psychiatric history, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression in such patients prior to initiation of treatment
- Consider a possible causal role of the stimulant, and discontinue therapy on emergence of any new psychotic or manic symptoms in children and adolescents
- Monitor patients treated for ADHD for the appearance of, or worsening of, aggressive behavior or hostility
- Therapy is associated with lowering the convulsive threshold in patients with prior history of seizures, in patients with prior EEG abnormalities in absence of seizures, and, very rarely, in patients without a history of seizures and no prior EEG evidence of seizures. Discontinue therapy on presence of seizures
- Difficulties with accommodation and blurring of vision have occurred
- Clinically evaluate patients for tics and Tourette’s syndrome
- Monitor growth in patients during therapy and interrupt therapy in patients who are not growing or gaining weight as expected
- Prescribe least amount of amphetamine or dispense at one time in order to minimize the possibility of overdosage
- Therapy is associated with peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon. Signs and symptoms usually improve after reduction in dose or discontinuation of therapy
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- History of cardiovascular disease
- Mild hypertension
- Psychosis
- Bipolar disorder
- Tourette syndrome or tics
- Risk of seizure
- History of seizure
- Patients using concomitant sympathomimetic drugs
- Breastfeeding
- Avoid abrupt withdrawal
- Geriatric patients
Supplemental Patient Information
- Avoid cutting, crushing, or chewing the medication
- Inform patients, their families, and their caregivers about the potential benefits and risks associated with this drug and counsel them in its appropriate use
- Advise to store the product in a safe place to prevent misuse and/or abuse
- Patients should be cautioned against engaging in potentially hazardous activities requiring alertness, such as operating machinery or driving a vehicle
- Instruct patients to report to their physician about any numbness, pain, skin color change, or sensitivity to temperature in fingers or toes
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: In prescribed dosages for medical indications, some evidence indicates that dextroamphetamine does not affect nursing infants adversely. The effect of dextroamphetamine in milk on the neurological development of the infant has not been well established. Larger dosages of dextroamphetamine might interfere with milk production, especially in women whose lactation is not well established. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 3 March 2011). Manufacturer advises mothers taking amphetamines to refrain from nursing.
US Trade Name(s)
- Dexedrine
- Dexedrine Spansule
- ProCentra
US Availability
dextroamphetamine (generic)
- TABS: 5, 10 mg
- SOLN: 5 mg/5 mL
- ECAPS: 5, 10, 15 mg
Dexedrine, Dexedrine Spansule
ProCentra
Canadian Trade Name(s)
- Dexedrine
- Dexedrine Spansule SRC
Canadian Availability
Dexedrine
Dexedrine Spansule SRC
UK Trade Name(s)
UK Availability
Australian Trade Name(s)
Australian Availability
[Outline]
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- Dexedrine 15 MG CP24 [Bottle] (AMEDRA PHARMACEUTICALS)
20 mg = $153.99
30 mg = $225.98 - Dexedrine 10 MG CP24 [Bottle] (AMEDRA PHARMACEUTICALS)
20 mg = $155.99
30 mg = $227.97 - Dexedrine 5 MG CP24 [Bottle] (AMEDRA PHARMACEUTICALS)
20 mg = $149.99
30 mg = $224.98 - Dextroamphetamine Sulfate 10 MG TABS [Bottle] (TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA)
20 mg = $20.21
30 mg = $30.32
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.