When Is It Prescribed?

Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine) is prescribed to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine) typically decreases distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Other positive effects of Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine) include increased attention span and ability to follow directions.

This medication may also be prescribed for purposes other than what’s listed above.

When Will My Medication Start to Work?

Some effects may occur after just a few days, or for some people, even sooner. It may be three to four weeks before you begin to feel the full effects of Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine).

This medication is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor or therapist about how you should best stop this medication.

Do not crush, chew, or open any "once-daily" tablets or capsules--swallow them whole.

Do not take Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine) in the evening; this medication can cause insomnia.

Are there Any Drug Interactions?

You cannot take Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine) if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as Marplan (isocarboxazid), Parnate (tranylcypromine), or Nardil (phenelzine) in the last 14 days.

Changes in insulin and other diabetes drug therapies may be necessary during treatment with Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine).

The following antidepressants may decrease the effects of Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine):

• amitriptyline (Elavil)



• Asendin (amoxapine)



• Sinequan (doxepin)



• Pamelor (nortriptyline)



• Tofranil (imipramine)



• Anafranil (clomipramine)



• Vivactil (protriptyline)



• Norpramine (desipramine)

Before taking Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine), tell your doctor or therapist if you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Issues

It is not known whether Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine) will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor or therapist if you are pregnant.

Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine) passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor or therapist if you are breastfeeding a baby.

Other Important Information and Precautions

You cannot take this medication if you have:

• Heart disease or high blood pressure



• Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)



• Glaucoma



• A history of drug or alcohol abuse

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or therapist if you have:

• Problems with your thyroid.



• An anxiety disorder



• Epilepsy or another seizure disorder



• Diabetes

In addition to the information listed above, there may be other important issues or precautions related to this medication. For further information, you can ask your prescribing doctor or therapist.

Side-Effect Information

Only some people will experience side-effects--and no one experiences side-effects in exactly the same way. If you experience any side-effects, contact your doctor or therapist right away and continue taking your medication.

The following list may not contain all of the side-effects associated with this medication:

Most Common Side-Effects

Loss of appetite & weight loss
You may experience decreased appetite and as a result, may lose weight even if you are not trying to. Try eating smaller, but more frequent meals to take in more calories. Your doctor or therapist can help you monitor your weight and suggest a high calorie (but healthy) diet for you if weight loss is a concern.

Insomnia
If you experience insomnia as a result of your medication, your doctor or therapist may change your dose, prescribe a medicine to help you sleep, advise you to take the medication in the morning, or change your medication altogether. To combat insomnia, avoid eating heavy meals, exercising, or drinking caffeinated beverages before bedtime.

Headache
DextroStat can cause headaches, although this side-effect often fades as your body adjusts to the medication. If you experience headaches, and they are disruptive, talk to your doctor or therapist before you take any pain medications. He or she can let you know which medications are safe to take with DextroStat.

Infrequent Side-Effects

Dry mouth or an unpleasant taste
Some people taking DextroStat experience dry mouth or an unpleasant taste. Although this side-effect may not go away completely, it usually gets better with time and can be relieved by sucking on hard candy or crushed ice, drinking plenty of fluids, or eating frozen grapes.

Nausea
Most people who experience this side-effect notice that it disappears in a few weeks. To reduce or eliminate nausea, eat several small meals per day instead of three big ones, or try snacking on dry toast or crackers.

Rare Side-Effects or Risks

Tics
Tics are movements or noises that a person is unaware of and has no control over. For example, people with tics may twitch, shrug their shoulders, sniff, or clear their throats without knowing that they are doing it. If someone tells you that you have developed a tic, talk to your doctor or therapist about it.

Dizziness
If you feel dizzy when you sit or stand up quickly, there are some precautions that you can take to avoid injury. Get up very slowly from a laying or sitting position and make sure you have something to hold onto as you get up. Then wait a moment or two before you start walking.

Irritability
When you begin taking DextroStat, you may notice that you feel more irritable than usual, that the littlest things annoy you. Your doctor or therapist can help you determine if your increased irritability is a result of the medication and may modify your dose if agitation remains a problem.

Stomach pain
Some people taking DextroStat experience stomach pain that is bothersome and disrupts their daily activities. Talk to your doctor or therapist if you are experiencing stomach pain while taking this medication.

Increased heart rate
Some people taking DextroStat experience increased heart rate. A person experiencing this side-effect may feel that his or her heart is beating unusually fast.

Hallucinations
Hallucinations occur when a person senses things that aren't really there. The most commonly experienced hallucination is hearing voices. People also have hallucinations where they see, feel, smell or taste something that is not there. If you are experiencing hallucinations, contact your doctor or therapist right away.

Side-effects and risks other than those listed above may also occur. Talk to your prescribing doctor or therapist about any potential or existing side-effects that you’re concerned about.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by 4therapy.com is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is made to that effect.

4therapy.com’s medication information is a reference resource designed as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge, and judgment of healthcare practitioners in patient care. 4therapy.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information 4therapy.com provides.