Dextroamphetamine and mixed amphetamine salts (the active ingredient in brand-name medications like Dexedrine, Zenzedi, and Adderall) are effective, widely prescribed treatments for ADHD and narcolepsy. Like any stimulant medication, though, they come with a real side effect profile, ranging from common and manageable to rare but serious. Here’s what to know.
Please Note
This article is for general education only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Drug Rehab Nashville is an independent information and referral service; we are not a treatment provider.
What Are Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine?
Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine are both CNS stimulants in the same drug class, working by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine activity in the brain. They’re FDA-approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy and carry a boxed warning, the FDA’s strongest safety warning, describing their high potential for abuse, misuse, and dependence. You can read the FDA’s official prescribing information for more detail on any specific brand-name product.
Common Short-Term Side Effects
Appetite and Sleep
Decreased appetite and difficulty falling or staying asleep are among the most frequently reported side effects, especially when a dose is taken later in the day.
Cardiovascular Effects
Increased heart rate and blood pressure are common and expected with stimulant medications, which is why these medications require monitoring, especially in people with existing heart conditions.
Mood and Anxiety
Some people experience irritability, nervousness, or increased anxiety, particularly as a dose wears off (sometimes called a “crash”) or at higher doses.
Serious Side Effects and Warning Signs
Less common but more serious effects can include chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath, or signs of heart problems, all of which warrant immediate medical attention. Amphetamines can also, in rare cases, cause new or worsening psychiatric symptoms, including new manic symptoms in someone with previously undiagnosed bipolar disorder, or aggressive behavior. Circulation problems in the fingers and toes, sometimes involving numbness, pain, or color changes, have also been reported and should be evaluated by a doctor if they occur.
Long-Term Side Effects of Regular Use
With extended use, some people experience ongoing appetite suppression that affects weight and growth (a particular consideration for children on long-term treatment for ADHD), and sustained cardiovascular strain if blood pressure or heart rate stays elevated over time. This is why regular follow-up appointments, including growth monitoring in children and cardiovascular checks in adults, are a standard part of long-term stimulant treatment rather than a one-time prescription and no further monitoring.
Side Effects of Misuse or Taking More Than Prescribed
Taking more than the prescribed dose, or using the medication without a prescription, significantly raises the risk of dangerous side effects, including severely elevated heart rate and blood pressure, hyperthermia (dangerously high body temperature), seizures, and psychosis. Misuse also carries a real risk of developing dependence, since these medications share the same basic mechanism, though at a different intensity, as illicit stimulants like methamphetamine.
Getting Help in Nashville
If a prescribed stimulant has turned into a pattern of taking more than directed, using it without a prescription, or relying on it in ways that feel out of your control, that’s worth addressing with a professional rather than managing alone. You can browse licensed treatment options in our directory, or call the number below to speak with a specialist.
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