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Dextrostat Side Effects

Generic name: dextroamphetamine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 20, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Dextrostat Side Effects associated with dextroamphetamine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Dextrostat.

Applies to dextroamphetamine: oral capsule extended release, oral solution, oral tablet.

Other dosage forms:

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (capsule, extended release)

Warning: Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction. Dextroamphetamine sulfate have a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction.

Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including dextroamphetamine sulfate, can result in overdose and death, 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, proper storage of the drug, and proper disposal of any unused drug.

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.

Oral route (solution)

Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse.

Administration of amphetamines for prolonged periods of time may lead to drug dependence and must be avoided.

Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of subjects obtaining amphetamines for non-therapeutic use or distribution to others, and the drugs should be prescribed or dispensed sparingly.Misuse of amphetamines may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events.

Oral route (tablet)

Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse.

Administration of amphetamines for prolonged periods of time may lead to drug dependence and must be avoided.

Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of subjects obtaining amphetamines for non-therapeutic use or distribution to others, and the drugs should be prescribed or dispensed sparingly.Misuse of amphetamines may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine if you are using or have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI), including isocarboxazid [Marplan®], linezolid [Zyvox®], phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], tranylcypromine [Parnate®]), within the past 14 days.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious heart or blood vessel problems. This may be more likely in patients who have a family history of heart disease. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have chest pain, trouble breathing, or fainting while taking this medicine.

You or your child will also need to have your blood pressure and heart rate measured before starting this medicine and while you are using it. If you notice any change in your blood pressure, call your doctor right away. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.

This medicine may cause some people to feel a false sense of well-being or to become dizzy, lightheaded, or less alert than they are normally. It may also cause blurred vision or other vision problems. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you or your child know how this medicine affects you.

Check with your doctor immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you or your child to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Tell your doctor right away if you or your family notices any unusual changes in behavior, such as an increase in aggression, hostility, agitation, irritability, or suicidal thinking or behaviors. Also tell your doctor if you or your child have hallucinations or any unusual thoughts, especially if they are new or getting worse quickly.

If you or your child have been using this medicine for a long time and you think you may have become mentally or physically dependent on it, check with your doctor. Some signs that you may be dependent on dextroamphetamine (the active ingredient contained in Dextrostat) are:

Symptoms of an overdose include: aggressive, agitation, angry, blurred vision, change in consciousness, chest pain or discomfort, confusion, dark urine, diarrhea, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse, fever, headache, inability to speak, loss of consciousness, muscle cramps, spasms, pains, or stiffness, nausea, nervousness, overactive reflexes, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, pale, clammy skin, palpitations, panic state, pounding in the ears, restlessness, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, seizures, shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet, shivering, slow or fast heartbeat, slurred speech, sweating, talking or acting with excitement you cannot control, temporary blindness, thirst, trembling or shaking of hands or feet, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, or weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe. Call your doctor right away if you notice these symptoms.

This medicine may cause slow growth in children. If your child is using this medicine, the doctor will need to keep track of your child's height and weight to make sure that your child is growing properly.

This medicine may increase your risk of having seizures. This is more likely to occur in patients with a history of seizures or heart rhythm problems. Check with your doctor right away if this happens.

This medicine may cause Raynaud's phenomenon, which is a problem with blood circulation in the fingers or toes. Tell your doctor if you or your child have tingling or pain, a cold feeling, paleness, or skin color changes in the fingers or toes, especially when exposed to cold temperatures. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained sores or ulcers on your fingers or toes.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have anxiety, restlessness, a fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or see or hear things that are not there. These may be symptoms of a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Your risk may be higher if you also take certain other medicines that affect serotonin levels in your body.

If you or your child will be taking this medicine in large doses for a long time, do not stop taking it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you or your child to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you or your child are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Avoid use with medications that increase stomach or urine alkalinity, including sodium bicarbonate, acetazolamide, and some thiazide diuretics (water pill).

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines, herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements, and medicine for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hayfever, or sinus problems.

Serious side effects of Dextrostat

Along with its needed effects, dextroamphetamine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dextroamphetamine:

Rare side effects

  • agitation
  • delusions
  • seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

Incidence not known

  • blurred vision
  • chest discomfort or pain
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • difficulty breathing
  • dizziness
  • faintness
  • false or unusual sense of well-being
  • fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • headache
  • nausea
  • pounding in the ears
  • shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
  • stomach pain
  • swelling of the feet or lower legs
  • trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
  • twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
  • unable to sleep
  • uncontrolled vocal outbursts and/or tics (uncontrolled repeated body movements)
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking dextroamphetamine:

Symptoms of overdose

Other side effects of Dextrostat

Some side effects of dextroamphetamine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

  • bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
  • change in taste
  • decreased interest in sexual intercourse
  • dry mouth
  • hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
  • inability to have or keep an erection
  • indigestion
  • loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
  • passing of gas
  • redness of the skin
  • weight loss

For healthcare professionals

Applies to dextroamphetamine: oral capsule extended release, oral solution, oral tablet, transdermal film.

Metabolic adverse events

Psychiatric

Cardiovascular

Gastrointestinal

Musculoskeletal

Nervous system

Dermatologic

Ocular

Other

Hematologic

Hepatic

Endocrine

Hypersensitivity

Renal

See also:

References

1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

3. (2001) "Product Information. Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine)." SmithKline Beecham

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Dextrostat side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.