Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow to TakeForms and DosesStorageIs It Still Prescribed?Compared to Other ADHD MedsSide EffectsSafetyStopping the Medication

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How to Take

Forms and Doses

Storage

Is It Still Prescribed?

Compared to Other ADHD Meds

Side Effects

Safety

Stopping the Medication

Close

At a GlanceDexedrine is one of the oldest medications used for ADHD. It’s still prescribed today, but not as often as other drugs.

At a Glance

Dexedrine is one of the oldest medications used for ADHD. It’s still prescribed today, but not as often as other drugs.

Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) is a psychostimulant medication prescribed totreat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Like other stimulant medications for ADHD, Dexedrine works on the central nervous system and increases brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), especially dopamine and norepinephrine. For someone with ADHD, having more of these neurotransmitters can improve their focus and concentration while reducing hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.

This article will cover taking Dexedrine for ADHD as well as how Dexedrine differs from other ADHD medications.

How to Take Dexedrine for ADHD

Dexedrine is a brand name for a drug that contains a stimulant called dextroamphetamine. The generic version of Dexedrine is called dextroamphetamine.Both short-acting tablets and Dexedrine Spansule capsules are available in generic versions.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved both versions of Dexedrine for treating ADHD in children aged 6 and older.

The medication comes in tablets and capsules called Dexedrine Spansule. Dexedrine tablets are short-acting and are effective for about four to six hours. They are usually taken two or three times per day. Dexedrine Spansule is extended-release and is typically effective for eight to 12 hours.When a capsule is taken, the first dose is released right away, and the remaining medication is released gradually. It is taken once per day.

Short-acting Dexedrine tablets are available in 5-milligram (mg) and 10-mg dosages. Dexedrine Spansule is available in 5-mg, 10-mg, and 15-mg capsules.

Some people feel that generic dextroamphetamine is not as effective for them as brand-name Dexedrine. They may also have side effects from the generic that they did not have when they took the brand-name version of the drug. If you’re not sure if the generic works well for you, ask your provider if you can try the brand name.

How to Store It

Keep your medication in a safe place, away from other people and pets. Store it in a cool, dry place at room temperature (68–72 degrees F) away from sunlight.

How Much Does ADHD Medication Cost?

Why Is Dexedrine Not Prescribed Anymore?

Dexedrine is still prescribed for ADHD, just less often than newer drugs. Dexedrine is one of the oldest stimulant medications. Here is a quick look at its history:

Today, Dexedrine is not as widely prescribed as more modern stimulant medications like Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ritalin.

Some people who have taken Dexedrine switch to a newer ADHD drug, but not everyone does. Your provider may prescribe Dexedrine if you tried a newer ADHD medication, but it hasn’t helped with your symptoms.

A Timeline of ADHD Medication History

Dexedrine vs. Other ADHD Meds

There are two kinds of stimulants used to treat ADHD: amphetamine and methylphenidate.

There are also non-stimulant medications used to treat ADHD, such as Strattera, Qulbree, Kapvay, and Intuniv. These drugs do not contain dextroamphetamine or any other stimulant.

Is Dexedrine Equivalent to Adderall?

Dexedrine and Adderall are the same kind of ADHD medication, but they’re not equal. Adderall contains dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, while Dexedrine only contains dextroamphetamine.

Dexedrine and Adderall have similar dosing guidelines, side effects, and risks. However, since Dexedrine only contains the strongest drug, it can be a more potent medication compared to Adderall.

Is Dexedrine the Same as Vyvanse?

Vyvanse is often described as a “smooth” ADHD drug because there isn’t a sudden kick or jolt in the body when the medication starts to work.There can also be less of a medicationreboundwhen the drug’s effects start to wear off.

Vyvanse is also less likely to be misused than other stimulants because it cannot be inhaled or injected to get high.

Vyvanse vs. Adderall for ADHD

Is Dexedrine Stronger Than Concerta?

Concerta is not necessarily stronger than other ADHD medications. It contains the drug methylphenidate, while Dexedrine contains dextroamphetamine.Ritalin is also in the methylphenidate group.

Both Concerta and Ritalin are approved for children at least 6 years old and adults with ADHD. Concerta comes in the form of an extended-release tablet. Ritalin comes in short-acting and extended-release forms. Both are available in brand-name and generic forms.

The experience of taking a methylphenidate drug for ADHD may be different than that of taking Dexedrine.

For example, in their bookAnswers to Distraction, medical doctors Edward Hallowell and John Ratey say that Ritalin can give more alertness, energy, andmotivation, while Dexedrine balances mood, helps with focus, and seems to calm restlessness.

hich ADHD Med Is Right for Me or My Child?Each person experiences different benefits and side effects from ADHD medication. You or your child may need to try more than one drug or dose to find the one that best treats your symptoms. Your provider can guide you through your options and make sure you understand the risks and benefits of each ADHD drug.

hich ADHD Med Is Right for Me or My Child?

Each person experiences different benefits and side effects from ADHD medication. You or your child may need to try more than one drug or dose to find the one that best treats your symptoms. Your provider can guide you through your options and make sure you understand the risks and benefits of each ADHD drug.

Dexedrine Side Effects

Some common side effects of Dexedrine include:

Does Dexedrine Slow a Child’s Growth?

In the past, there were concerns that stimulants could slow a child’s growth.

In his bookTaking Charge of ADHD, Russell Barkley, PhD, explained that the risk of slow or stunted growth in kids taking stimulant medication is much less than it was believed to be in the 1970s, when the drug was more popular.

Back when it was thought that ADHD stimulants could affect growth, parents were advised to give their children “medication holidays.” This meant a child would take their medication as prescribed during the school year and take a break during school holidays and possibly on weekends.

Today, there is less concern about ADHD medication affecting growth, and the benefits are well known. Stimulant medication helps children with ADHD do better with their schoolwork as well as form social connections and take part in recreational activities and sports.

Your provider can monitor your child’s height while they are taking a stimulant for ADHD.7You may want to talk to them about medication holidays if you’re concerned about your child’s growth.

Can Dexedrine Cause Weight Loss?

Dexedrine can suppress appetite, which may lead to weight loss.If you or your child needs to maintain or gain weight, a stimulant for ADHD may not be the best choice.

You need to make sure you’re getting adequate nutrient intake while you’re taking Dexedrine. Having breakfast before you take your dose and keeping snacks on hand throughout the day can be helpful.

Let your provider know about any weight or nutrition concerns while you’re taking Dexedrine.

Dexedrine Safety

While it’s not common, there have been reports of serious heart-related problems in kids and adults taking stimulant medications, including Dexedrine. There is also a possibility of mental health symptoms in people taking stimulants for ADHD. Your provider may want to talk to you about your mental health and family history and monitor you closely when you first start taking the drug to make sure it is safe for you.

Contraindications

Some people can’t take Dexedrine because it wouldn’t be safe. For example, people with certain medical conditions, substance use disorders, allergies, or hypersensitivities to stimulant drugs may not be able to take Dexedrine for ADHD.

Talk to your provider if you are pregnant, nursing, or plan on becoming pregnant. Dexedrine can be unsafe for an unborn fetus, and breastfeeding is not recommended while taking this medication.

How to Manage ADHD Medication Side Effects

Drug Interactions

ADHD drugs like Dexedrine can interact with other medications or supplements you might be taking. It’s important that you tell your provider about everything you take, even if it’s just over-the-counter (OTC) products like vitamins.

Dexedrine can’t be taken with drugs called MAOIs that are used to treat depression. You will have to wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI to start taking Dexedrine.

How to Stop Taking Dexedrine

If you need to stop taking Dexedrine for any reason, do not stop taking your pills without talking to your provider first. If you need to stop taking it or switch to a different medication for ADHD, your provider can help you slowly and safely taper off your medication to avoid rebound side effects.

What to Know Before You Start ADHD Medication

12 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

MedlinePlus.Dextroamphetamine.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine sulfate) Spansule sustained release capsules.

Heal DJ, Smith SL, Gosden J, Nutt DJ.Amphetamine, past and present – A pharmacological and clinical perspective.J Psychopharmacol. 2013;27(6):479-496. doi:10.1177/0269881113482532

Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Drug Efficacy Study Implementation (DESI).

Food and Drug Administration (FDA).FDA-approved drugs: Dexedrine.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) capsules.

Food and Drug Administration.Adderall XR.

Food and Drug Administration.Ritalin.

Food and Drug Administration.Concerta.

Hallowell EM, Ratey JJ.Answers to Distraction. Anchor Books, New York; 2010

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