Dextroamphetamine Sulfate Medication Guide

Conditions This Medication May Treat

Based on Bridgeway's clinical use. See the FDA "Uses" section below for approved indications.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

Uses (FDA Indications) (FDA source)

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Dextroamphetamine Sulfate Oral Solution is indicated in: Narcolepsy Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity: As an integral part of a total treatment program that typically includes other remedial measures (psychological, educational, social) for a stabilizing effect in pediatric patients (ages 3 years to 16 years) with a behavioral syndrome characterized by the following group of developmentally inappropriate symptoms: Moderate to severe distractibility, short attention span, hyperactivity, emotionally lability, and impulsivity. The diagnosis of this syndrome should not be made with finality when these symptoms are only of comparatively recent origin. Nonlocalizing (soft) neurological signs, learning disability, and abnormal EEG may or may not be present, and a diagnosis of central nervous system dysfunction may or may not be warranted.

Warnings & Precautions (FDA source)

WARNINGS Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction Dextroamphetamine sulfate has a high potential for abuse and misuse. The use of dextroamphetamine sulfate exposes individuals to the risks of abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction. Dextroamphetamine sulfate can be diverted for non-medical use into illicit channels or distribution (see DRUG ABUSE and DEPENDENCE ) . Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including dextroamphetamine sulfate, can result in overdose and death (see OVERDOSAGE ) , and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection. Before prescribing dextroamphetamine sulfate, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Educate patients and their families about these risks and proper disposal of any unused drug. Advise patients to store dextroamphetamine sulfate in a safe place, preferably locked, and instruct patients to not give dextroamphetamine sulfate to anyone else. Throughout dextroamphetamine sulfate treatment, reassess each patient’s risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction and frequently monitor for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction. Risks to Patients with Serious Cardiac Disease Sudden death has been reported in patients with structural cardiac abnormalities or other serious cardiac disease who are treated with CNS stimulants at the recommended ADHD dosages. Avoid Dextroamphetamine Sulfate Oral Solution use in patients with known structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious cardiac arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, or other serious cardiac disease. Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate CNS stimulants cause an increase in blood pressure (mean increase about 2 to 4 mm Hg) and heart rate (mean increase about 3 to 6 bpm). Monitor all patients for potential tachycardia and hypertension. Psychiatric Adverse Reactions Exacerbation of Pre-Existing Psychosis: CNS stimulants may exacerbate symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder in patients with a pre-existing psychotic disorder. …

Common Side Effects (FDA source)

ADVERSE REACTIONS Cardiovascular: Palpitations, tachycardia, elevation of blood pressure. There have been isolated reports of cardiomyopathy associated with chronic amphetamine use. Central Nervous System: Psychotic episodes at recommended doses (rare), overstimulation, restlessness, dizziness, insomnia, euphoria, dyskinesia, dysphoria, tremor, headache, exacerbation of motor and verbal tics and Tourette’s syndrome. Gastrointestinal: Dryness of the mouth, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, constipation, intestinal ischemia and other gastrointestinal disturbances. Anorexia and weight loss may occur as undesirable effects. Allergic: Urticaria. Endocrine: Impotence, changes in libido. Musculoskeletal: Rhabdomyolysis.

Drug Interactions (FDA source)

Drug Interactions MAO Inhibitors - MAOI antidepressants, as well as a metabolite of furazolidone, slow amphetamine metabolism. This slowing potentiates amphetamines, increasing their effect on the release of norepinephrine and other monoamines from adrenergic nerve endings; this can cause headaches and other signs of hypertensive crisis. A variety of neurological toxic effects and malignant hyperpyrexia can occur, sometimes with fatal results. Serotonergic Drugs - The concomitant use of dextroamphetamine sulfate oral solution and serotonergic drugs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Initiate with lower doses and monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, particularly during dextroamphetamine sulfate oral solution initiation or dosage increase. If serotonin syndrome occurs, discontinue dextroamphetamine sulfate oral solution and the concomitant serotonergic drug(s) [see WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS ] . Examples of serotonergic drugs include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, St. John’s Wort. CYP2D6 Inhibitors - The concomitant use of dextroamphetamine sulfate oral solution and CYP2D6 inhibitors may increase the exposure of dextroamphetamine sulfate oral solution compared to the use of the drug alone and increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Initiate with lower doses and monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome particularly during dextroamphetamine sulfate oral solution initiation and after a dosage increase. If serotonin syndrome occurs, discontinue dextroamphetamine sulfate oral solution and the CYP2D6 inhibitor [see WARNINGS, OVERDOSAGE] . …

Interactions With Other Medications We Cover

FDA label text for Dextroamphetamine Sulfate or a related medication mentions the following combinations. Check any two medications with our interaction tool →

• Dextroamphetamine Sulfate + Lithium Carbonate — Moderate
• Dextroamphetamine Sulfate + Buspirone Hydrochloride — Moderate
• Dextroamphetamine Sulfate + Fluoxetine Hydrochloride — Minor
• Dextroamphetamine Sulfate + Paroxetine Hydrochloride — Minor

About this interaction data. These interactions were identified by automatically scanning FDA prescribing-label text for medications in Bridgeway's library. This is not a complete list and is not a substitute for review by your prescriber or pharmacist, who use comprehensive clinical databases. Always share your full medication list with your care team. How we source this data →

Contraindications (FDA source)

CONTRAINDICATIONS Known hypersensitivity to amphetamine products. During or within 14 days following the administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (hypertensive crisis may result).

Use in Specific Populations (FDA source)

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category C Dextroamphetamine sulfate has been shown to have embryotoxic and teratogenic effects when administered to A/Jax mice and C57BL mice in doses approximately 41 times the maximum human dose. Embryotoxic effects were not seen in New Zealand white rabbits given the drug in doses 7 times the human dose nor in rats given 12.5 times the maximum human dose. While there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, there has been one report of severe congenital bony deformity, tracheoesophageal fistula, and anal atresia (VATER association) in a baby born to a woman who took dextroamphetamine sulfate with lovastatin during the first trimester of pregnancy. Dextroamphetamine sulfate should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Nonteratogenic Effects Infants born to mothers dependent on amphetamines have an increased risk of premature delivery and low birth weight. Also, these infants may experience symptoms of withdrawal as demonstrated by dysphoria, including agitation, and significant lassitude.

Most-Reported Adverse Events (FAERS)

Of 48,611 adverse-event reports mentioning Dextroamphetamine Sulfate submitted to the FDA, the most frequently reported reactions are:

• Drug Ineffective — 5,797 reports
• Fatigue — 3,778 reports
• Nausea — 3,372 reports
• Headache — 3,092 reports
• Anxiety — 2,924 reports
• Depression — 2,494 reports
• Feeling Abnormal — 2,310 reports
• Pain — 2,050 reports
• Somnolence — 2,024 reports
• Dizziness — 2,020 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These are voluntary, unverified reports from patients and providers worldwide — they do not mean the medication caused the reaction, and report counts reflect how widely a drug is used as much as its safety profile.

Recent FDA Recalls

There are 6 ongoing FDA recalls involving Dextroamphetamine Sulfate. See full medication safety feed →