Type of medicine: amphetamine
Generic and brand names: dextroamphetamine, oral; Dexedrine Spansules; ProCentra
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat narcolepsy or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Do not take an MAO inhibitor antidepressant such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or isocarboxazid (Marplan) and this medicine within 14 days of each other. Serious side effects can occur. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it than prescribed. When you take this medicine for a long time or in large dosages, you may become dependent on it. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may need to reduce your dosage gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
This medicine may come in different forms. If you have extended-release tablets, do not break, crush, or chew them. Ask your pharmacist if you have the extended-release tablets.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Do not take this medicine with fruit juices. Juices may make this medicine less effective. When possible, take this medicine early in the day (usually no later than 2 PM or 6Â hours before your bedtime) to avoid trouble sleeping at night. If you have a long-acting form of the medicine, take it at least 10 hours before bedtime.
When this medicine is prescribed for a child, all doses should be given by an adult.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: restlessness, tremors, muscle twitches, fast breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, unexplained muscle pain, muscle weakness, fever, dark colored urine, depression, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, fainting, seizures, coma.
Your healthcare provider should check blood pressure and heart rate regularly while you are taking this medicine. Call your healthcare provider right away if you or your child has any signs of heart problems such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking this medicine. This medicine may cause sudden death in people who have heart problems.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice any new or worsening mental symptoms or problems while taking this medicine, especially:
Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse. If you use this medicine for a long time, you may become dependent on it. Prescriptions for this medicine cannot be refilled. You must see your healthcare provider again so that he or she can determine if you should take more of this medicine.
This medicine is a controlled substance. It is illegal for you to give it to anyone else.
This medicine may make you dizzy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can see clearly. Take care to avoid falling.
This medicine may slow growth in children. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Irregular or fast heartbeat, chest pain, hallucinations, severe headache, seizures, fainting, severe skin ulcers.
Other: Restlessness, nervousness, blurred vision, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, change in taste sensation, diarrhea, upset stomach, trouble sleeping, constipation, change in sexual ability or desire, loss of appetite, tremors, weight loss.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink caffeinated coffee, cola, and tea while taking this medicine to prevent jitteriness or trouble sleeping. Caffeine may increase side effects of this medicine.
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine. Alcohol may limit the effectiveness of this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
