Side effects of dextroamphetamine

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Side Effects of Dextroamphetamine: A Comprehensive Review

Common Side Effects: Insomnia, Anorexia, and Stomach Pains

Dextroamphetamine, commonly prescribed for ADHD, is associated with several side effects. The most frequently reported include insomnia, anorexia (loss of appetite), and stomach pains. These side effects are generally transient and tend to diminish as treatment continues and the medication is properly managed . Insomnia and decreased appetite were notably prevalent in pediatric ADHD trials, with dextroamphetamine showing a higher severity of insomnia compared to methylphenidate .

Weight Loss and Growth Suppression

Another significant side effect of dextroamphetamine is weight loss, which can lead to growth suppression in children. Although there is evidence of growth suppression accompanying weight loss, these effects are not long-lasting and seem to have little impact on adult height or weight .

Emotional and Behavioral Side Effects

Dextroamphetamine can also cause emotional and behavioral side effects. In a study involving hyperactive children, significant personality deterioration was observed in some cases, necessitating discontinuation of the drug . Additionally, there have been reports of psychiatric side effects such as hallucinations and derealization, which can lead to poor compliance with the medication .

Severe and Rare Side Effects

While most side effects are mild and manageable, there are rare but severe side effects associated with dextroamphetamine. These include toxic psychosis and derealization, where patients experience a distorted perception of reality Winsberg1974Ghaffarinejad2013. In one case, a child experienced derealization, feeling that objects and people appeared different and horrible, which resolved upon switching to another medication .

Comparative Side Effects with Methylphenidate

Studies comparing dextroamphetamine with methylphenidate indicate that both drugs have similar side-effect profiles. However, dextroamphetamine is associated with a higher severity of insomnia and a unique side effect of "unusually happy" mood . Both medications are effective in treating hyperactivity and aggressive behaviors, and side effects are generally modest and equally distributed between the two .

Conclusion

Dextroamphetamine is an effective treatment for ADHD and other conditions but comes with a range of side effects. Common issues like insomnia, anorexia, and stomach pains are usually transient, while weight loss and growth suppression require monitoring. Emotional and behavioral side effects, though less common, can be severe and necessitate careful observation and management. Understanding these side effects can help in making informed decisions about the use of dextroamphetamine in clinical practice.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Side effects of dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate in hyperactive children--a brief review.

Dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate side effects in hyperactive children are transient and diminish as treatment continues, while growth suppression associated with weight loss is not long-lasting and has little effect on adult height or weight.

Literature Review

1984·

44citations

·B. E. Golinko

Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry·

DOI

Minimizing Adverse Events While Maintaining Clinical Improvement in a Pediatric Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Crossover Trial with Dextroamphetamine and Methylphenidate

Both dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate may help minimize adverse events in a subsample of children in pediatric ADHD stimulant trials.

RCT

2014·

21citations

·B. E. Ramtvedt et al.

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology·

DOI

Effects of dextroamphetamine, chlorpromazine, and hydroxyzine on behavior and performance in hyperactive children.

Chlorpromazine and dextroamphetamine are equally effective in modifying hyperactivity in children, with chlorpromazine having no side effects.

RCT

1972·

67citations

·L. M. Greenberg et al.

The American journal of psychiatry·

DOI

Side effects of dextroamphetamine therapy of hyperactive children.

Dextroamphetamine therapy for hyperactive children may cause personality deterioration, and careful monitoring is necessary for potential side effects.

1974·

3citations

·L. M. Greenberg et al.

The Western journal of medicine

Dextroamphetamine: cognitive and behavioral effects in normal prepubertal boys.

Dextroamphetamine reduces motor activity and reaction time in normal prepubertal boys and improves cognitive performance, challenging the assumption that minimal brain dysfunction has a specific or paradoxical response to stimulants.

RCTHighly Cited

1978·

372citations

·J. Rapoport et al.

Science·

DOI

Dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate in the treatment of hyperactive-aggressive children.

Both dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate effectively treat hyperactive and aggressive behaviors in children, with similar side effects and potential for cross-response.

Non-RCT

1974·

68citations

·Bertrand G. Winsberg et al.

Pediatrics·

DOI

2321 – Derealization Due To Dextroamphetamine: a Rare Side Effect Which Could Cause Premature Discontinuation Of Treatment

Dextroamphetamine may cause rare cases of derealization in children with ADHD, potentially leading to premature discontinuation of treatment.

Case ReportRigorous Journal

2013·

1citation

·A. Ghaffarinejad et al.

European Psychiatry·

DOI

Dextroamphetamine with morphine for the treatment of postoperative pain.

Dextroamphetamine combined with morphine is twice as effective as morphine alone for treating postoperative pain, with minimal side effects.

RCTLarge Human TrialHighly Cited

1977·

177citations

·W. Forrest et al.

The New England journal of medicine·

DOI

Effects of dextroamphetamine, caffeine and modafinil on psychomotor vigilance test performance after 44 h of continuous wakefulness

All three stimulants effectively restore psychomotor vigilance after 44 hours of continuous wakefulness, with caffeine having the shortest duration of action and dextroamphetamine having the longest duration.

RCTHighly Cited

2008·

119citations

·W. Killgore et al.

Journal of Sleep Research·

DOI

Effects of dextroamphetamine on depression and fatigue in men with HIV: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Dextroamphetamine is a potentially effective, fast-acting antidepressant treatment for HIV patients with depression and debilitating fatigue, without evidence of tolerance, abuse, or dependence.

RCTHighly Cited

2000·

131citations

·Glenn J. Wagner et al.

The Journal of clinical psychiatry·

DOI

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