Dexedrine for ADHD: Side Effects, Warnings, and How It's Used

Dexedrine is a stimulant medication used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It works to increase attention and decrease restlessness in children and adults who are experiencing symptoms of ADHD. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at what Dexedrine is, how it’s used, its common side effects, and how it compares with other popular ADHD medications.

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What Is Dexedrine?

Dexedrine is a stimulant medication used by adults, teens, and children as young as three years old, to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Available in both fast-acting and extended-release options, Dexedrine is typically taken orally in pill or capsule form. The drug can help kids with their ability to focus, lessen hyperactive behaviors, and increase impulse control, all of which are common ADHD symptoms.

Dexedrine is available under several brand names, including:

• Dexedrine, both in fast-acting or extended-release capsules
• Zenzedi, in fast-release tablets
• Spansule, in extended-release capsules
• ProCentra, an oral liquid medication
• Xelstrym, a topically applied medication (skin patch)

It’s also available as a generic drug under the name dextroamphetamine.

Dexedrine is an amphetamine. The US. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), lists it as a federally controlled substance (specifically a “Schedule II Stimulant”) due to its possibility of abuse and its capacity for dependency.

How Is Dexedrine Used?

Like many ADHD and stimulant medications, Dexedrine’s active ingredients affect the central nervous system, altering the performance of several neurotransmitters in the brain. Both the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine can help improve concentration and impulse control when boosted with Dexedrine.

Medical professionals often prescribe Dexedrine to be taken once a day, though additional doses (up to 3 daily) may be prescribed based on a child’s symptoms and response.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Dexedrine for children ages 3 and above.

Quick-Release Dexedrine

These faster-acting Dexedrine tablets can be taken up to three times per day (though this is usually an adult dosage), and are available in 5mg doses. Typically, the first dose of the day is taken first thing in the morning.

For best results, all doses should be taken consistently, at the same time every day.

Extended-Release Dexedrine

Extended-release Dexedrine capsules are taken once daily, preferably in the morning, in 5, 10, or 15 mg doses. The time-release form of Dexedrine is designed to help your body maintain a steady level of medication in your body throughout the day, avoiding ups and downs in concentration and other ADHD symptoms.

Children are most often prescribed daily doses ranging from 2.5 mg to 40 mg.

Dexedrine Side Effects

Common side effects include: 

• Dry mouth
• Irregular or increased heartbeat
• Lack of appetite/weightless
• Muscle tremors
• Headaches
• Difficulty sleeping
• Dizziness and/or nausea

More serious side effects of taking Dexedrine have included:

• Seizures
• Changes in vision

For teens, the use of Dexedrine may affect or impair their ability to safely drive a vehicle, operate machinery, or perform other tasks. However, this side effect is rare and typically wears off after a short period of usage. If it doesn’t, or if this (or other) side effects become more severe, you should consult your child’s physician.

Myths About Dexedrine

Early in the 1970s, some physicians began expressing concerns that stimulant medications could potentially slow or stunt growth in children. Dexedrine, being one of the more popular ADHD medications then, was often the one people knew best, and so the association was made between Dexedrine and stunted growth in children.

These concerns have lessened significantly in the decades since.

However, much like coffee, there are still numerous websites that “express some concern” over the link between Dexedrine and growth, even though current evidence is still lacking solid conclusion that this medication will stunt a child's growth.

If you do have concerns about your child's growth while taking Dexedrine, you should have his or her growth monitored and periodically evaluated by a medical professional.

Dexedrine vs Other ADHD Medications

Dexedrine vs. Adderall

Adderall, like Dexedrine, is one of the most widely prescribed ADHD medications in the world. Both have the central cortex stimulate amphetamine as their active ingredient, and both have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of ADHD symptoms in children.

Adderall differs from Dexedrine in that its formulation is 75% dextroamphetamine and 25% levoamphetamine or a mixture of amphetamine salts. Dexedrine is considered to be the more potent stimulant of the two, as it contains 100% dextroamphetamine.

Like Dexedrine, Adderall should be taken first thing each morning and may cause sleep disruption if taken in the late afternoon or evening.

Both reach their maximum effectiveness in about three hours, beginning between 30-60 minutes from ingestion.

Those taking Adderall tend to report the same ADHD side effects as Dexedrine. Both are available in brand name and generic forms, with prices being comparable between the two, depending on insurance coverage and pharmacy.

Dexedrine vs. Vyvanse

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is another FDA-approved medication for the treatment of ADHD symptoms. Vyvanse is also an amphetamine.

Comparisons between Dexedrine and Vyvanse most often come down to the differences in the available forms, the time between ingestion and effect, and the overall duration of each drug’s effect.

Vyvanse effect of neurotransmitters lasts longer than Dexedrine (up to 14 hours), though it tends not to take effect as quickly (up to 2 hours).  

Overall, users have reported fewer side effects with Vyvanse and it has a lower risk of potential abuse.

Vyvanse can also be prescribed for moderate to severe BED (Binge Eating Disorder) and Narcolepsy.

In addition to side effects similar to those found in Dexedrine, the use of Vyvanse has been linked with Serotonin Syndrome, a potentially life-threatening problem that may happen when Vyvanse is taken with certain other medicines. Possible drug interaction should be discussed with your child’s physician before starting Vyvanse.

Vyvanse is only available under its brand name as chewable tablets or capsules and is not for use in children under 6.

Dexedrine vs. Ritalin

Ritalin is a popular central nervous system stimulant prescribed for ADHD, especially in children. (Like Vyvanse, however, it should not be taken by children under 6 years old).

Ritalin’s active ingredient is methylphenidate, as opposed to the dextroamphetamine found in Dexedrine.

Starting doses of Ritalin begin at 5mg IR twice daily (depending on the patient), with the average adult dose being 20mg to 30mg. Dosing tends to start low and is slowly increased until the desired effect on symptoms is achieved.

Ritalin is also available in extended-release tablets, as well as Daytrana patches for the skin. Patches should not be worn for more than 9 hours.

Ritalin can cause or worsen psychosis (unusual thoughts or behavior), especially in children with a history of depression, mental illness, or bipolar disorder. It should not be taken by anyone who has used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days.

Is Dexedrine Safe?

The National Institute for Mental Health states that the goal of ADHD medication is to reduce or relieve the symptoms related to ADHD. When used along with other therapies like counseling or behavioral therapy, these medications can help make ADHD symptoms more manageable.

Any ADHD that has been approved by the Food & Drug Administration, including Dexedrine, is considered safe and effective for general use, with a minimum of risk and clinically documented benefits.

That said, most medications run the risk of some type of side effects, great or small.

You and your child’s doctor should closely monitor their usage and reactions to any medicines that your child is taking, and work together on alternatives if symptoms or side effects become unacceptable.

When dealing with the symptoms of ADHD, there is no one-size-fits-all plan of action to achieve “success”. Every child is unique, and so are their individual symptoms and responses,

This uniqueness sometimes requires investigation into different treatments and periods of testing and evaluation for each.

Your child may respond perfectly to the first mediation that they’re prescribed, or it may take some trial and error to attain the best possible results.

Work with your child’s medical professional, their counselors, and (when possible) their teachers and other school staff, to help them make the most of any treatments, medications, or therapies that can help reduce the impact of ADHD on their lives.

Help is out there.