Dexedrine and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Div...
• November 26, 2018

For ADHD "This medication is hard to find, which is unfortunate because, quite simply, it works on some ADHD people when other more common medications do not. Dextroamphetamine (generic)/Zenzedi (brand name) acts more on dopamine than norepinephrine. Adderall, which is dextroamp and levoamp, the latter affecting mostly norepinephrine, made me tired and flat--and hungry. Kind of a paradoxical reaction. It helped my emotional overreactivity, but not other ADHD symptoms like initiation of tasks and related anxiety/irritability, procrastination, and negative ruminations (mentally getting 'stuck'). Obviously, my brain needs help with dopamine, and too much norepinephrine is dulling and unpleasantly sedating. Those with similar reactions to Adderall (and/or methylphenidates like Ritalin) might want to give Dextroamphetamine a try. It feels like a totally different class of medication than Adderall to my (admittedly atypical) brain, and works great."

• cra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2016

For ADHD "Been on Vyvanse for 3 years, Adderall XL, & Adderall for another 3 years with limited success. I take a lot of other medications for mania & am always tired in addition to lacking focus... for the first time in years, I can watch a movie, read a book, make it through multitasking a workday. Maybe this is what normal is meant to feel like-a world without yawns and easy distractions? Have I truly found a way to make it through a two-hour movie? I think a new chapter in my life just opened..."

• ADD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2022

For ADHD "After 38 years of thinking my brain was broken, I finally have found relief for the constant overthinking, anxiety, and racing thoughts. My whole life I’ve been an anxious person but still managed to do well in school and become a medical professional. It never occurred to me or my family that I was suffering from severe hyperactivity. I was constantly restless, had chronic insomnia, and was obsessed about food. I always assumed I just had an anxiety disorder and didn’t know how to shut my brain off. I had tried SSRIs, Xanax, supplements. Nothing seemed to work and usually just made me feel worse. It wasn’t until I tried Wellbutrin and passed out for 8 hours that my treating doctor suspected I might have ADHD. I was given an evaluation and took my first stimulant (Adderall) and behold, I fell asleep within 30 minutes. Adderall made me too foggy and tired, Ritalin made me tired and had heart palpitations, but Dexedrine has been quite literally perfect. It’s changed my life."

• Pop...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2021

For Narcolepsy "Have been taking Dexedrine from the days of SKF, and before. Now in my seventies, a different pharmacist gave me a generic version from Activa Co., which seemed to have no proper drug in it. I mostly felt cheated because there was no helpful effect. I felt lousy and slept away 3 months of my life, having no energy. I could not function normally as before. I called my pharmacist to report the medication was not working, and the spansules weren't even the same color or size. He said they are a cheaper brand. I told him I don't mind paying more for the proper medication I have taken daily for more than 50 years. I refuse to be abused in this way, and will take my next script back to my previous family pharmacist."

• Sle...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 5, 2014

For Narcolepsy "Along with narcolepsy, I've also been diagnosed with ADHD. I have been taking Dexedrine for the last 4 years. At first, it was 5 mg tablets, which worked for a couple of months. As soon as my dose was increased to 10 mg spansules a day, my life has been so much easier since then. I can actually concentrate on one thing without wanting to quit in the middle and take a nap. Many side effects, including dry mouth almost every day, heart pounding, loss of appetite leading to weight loss, muscles twitching, and severe tiredness if I suddenly stop taking it."

• Sf1...
• March 3, 2018

For ADHD "I began treatment for bipolar 2 years ago. It has been successful. I still had severe brain fog, impatience, and lethargy, though. The psych doc diagnosed ADHD on top of bipolar. Tried Vyvanse, Ritalin, and Dexedrine. Dex won for me. 10 mg in the am and 5 at lunch and dinner. Much more patient and clear-headed."