Dexedrine
Dexedrine is also known as dextroamphetamine. It is a brain stimulant which can cause increased awareness, self confidence and diminished appetite. For years, the drug was used as an appetite suppressant but because of its potent toxicity, the drug is no longer approved for that purpose. Dexedrine is very similar to amphetamine in structure and its actions.
Dexedrine Facts
| Other names | Dexedrine, d-amphetamine, dexamphetamine |
| Chemical formula | C9H13N |
| Effects | Stimulating and increases alertness. |
| Dosage | 200mg once a day |
| Legal status | Needs a prescription in most parts of the world. |
Various analogs of Dexedrine were used in cold medicine to act as nasal decongestants. However, once people became aware of its brain stimulating activities, it led to an abuse of the compound and now Dexedrine is no longer added to any cough mixtures.
Dexedrine was once approved for the treatment of narcolepsy, obesity, depression and attention deficit disorder. But the availability of safer and more efficacious drugs have led to lesser use of the drug. The drug is a potent psychostimulant but also has well known toxicity. Some of its classic side effects include palpitations, increasing blood pressure, extreme agitation, restlessness, headaches and dry mouth. Fatalities have resulted from overdosing with this drug.
One of the major reasons the drug was taken off the market was due to its ability to cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms when the drug is abruptly stopped. The drug is still occasionally used by students to keep awake before exams and by military pilots who have to fly long distances. Dexedrine is available as a 5/10 mg tablet to be taken orally for ADHD.