Explanation

Dexamfetamine sulphate (also called Dexedrine®) is a type of medicine called a stimulant and it's used to help control ADHD.

How does dexamfetamine sulphate work?

Methylphenidate hydrochloride kicks your brain into action! It does this by increasing the amount of the chemical in your brain that helps you concentrate.

What does it look like?

Dexamfetamine sulphate comes as a white tablet that you swallow.

When do I have to take it?

Your doctor will tell you when to take your dexamfetamine sulphate. You will usually have to take it every day. It's best to take it at the same time each day, and swallow the tablet with a glass of water.

How much do I take?

Your doctor will decide how much dexamfetamine sulphate is right for you. This will depend on how old you are, and how bad your ADHD is.

But what if I don't feel like taking it?

It's important to take your dexamfetamine sulphate every day, even if you don't feel like it. Even if the adults looking after you forget - go and remind them! If you don't want to take your dexamfetamine sulphate for some reason it's really important that you talk to your doctor about it, but don't stop taking it unless he or she says it's okay to do so. It can be dangerous if you stop your dexamfetamine sulphate suddenly. Your doctor will usually give you smaller and smaller amounts until you can stop completely.

What should I do if I forget to take it?

If you miss a dose, don't worry. Forget your missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. It's important that you don't take twice as much next time to catch up. Remember the three Ds: Don't Double Dose!

What if I take too much?

It can be very dangerous if you take too much dexamfetamine sulphate. If you take too many tablets, make sure you tell your doctor immediately or go to the hospital. Remember to take your packet with you so they know what you have taken.

If you do take too much the things you might notice are:

feeling very excited

seeing or hearing things that aren't really there

twitching of your body that you can't control (convulsions) which can lead to a coma

irregular and fast heartbeat

slow breathing

feeling confused

feeling angry more than usual

pains in your chest

What side effects might I get?

Like any medicine, dexamfetamine sulphate can cause some side effects. You may get some side effects, or might not get any at all.

Although it's unlikely dexamfetamine sulphate can cause a serious allergic reaction. You should go to the hospital straight away if you notice swelling of your face or throat, you are having trouble breathing or you feel dizzy.

You should tell your doctor if you get any other side effects which can include:

a hard or fast heart beat

changes in your vision

a sore tummy

feeling sick

having runny poo (diarrhoea)

dry mouth

chest pain

feeling faint

not feeling hungry and losing weight

aches, pains and/or weakness in your muscles

trouble sleeping

rash on your skin

jerky or clumsy movements

shaking of your body that you can't control

headaches

nightmares

changes to your mood like feeling angry, confused, worried or very happy or sad

seeing or hearing things that aren't there

sweating more than usual

abnormal loss of hair

Is it safe for me to be taking it?

Before you start taking dexamfetamine sulphate, you should tell your doctor about any medical problems that you know you have or have had in the past, including allergies. This is especially important if you have:

any heart problems

problems with your heart, circulation or blood pressure

glaucoma

hyperthyroidism

problems with your kdneys

epilepsy

a disease called anorexia nervosa which makes you not want to eat

a blood disease called porphyria

any problems with your body coping with sugar

a condition called tourette's syndrome

If you know you are allergic to dexamfetamine sulphate, tell your doctor before taking it. He or she will choose another medicine to treat your ADHD with.

Is it OK for me to take dexamfetamine sulphate if I'm taking other medicines?

You should tell your doctor about any other medicines that you are taking, or have taken, recently, including herbal medicines or ones you got without a prescription. It's especially important to mention if you are taking:

medicines to treat depression

medicines for high blood pressure

any medicines that contain glutamic acid HCL, ammonium chloride, sodium acid phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, acetazolamide or thiazides

vitamin C

chlorpromazine

phenothiazine

ethosuximide

phenobarbital

phenytoin

haloperidol

morphine

meperidine

Do I need to know anything else about dexamfetamine sulphate?

If you take dexamfetamine sulphate over a long time, your body may gradually get used to itYou may have to take more tablets for it to work as well as it should. If this happens you may begin to feel like you need dexamfetamine sulphate (called dependence) or notice changes in the way you act. If this happens you should tell your doctor or the adult looking after you about it.

When you are older and if you are still taking dexamfetamine sulphate, it's important to tell your doctor if you are thinking of having a baby as this medicine can be harmful to your baby.

What if I have other questions?

If you have any other questions, you can ask your doctor, or chat to other people about dexamfetamine sulphate in the Medikidz forums and virtual world, Mediland.