Dextroamphetamine
is it "speed"?
The email:
"I am growing a little tired
of the misinformation in the media and the way Dextroamphetamine is portrayed
as "speed" in any presentation that remotely represents a child with ADD/ADHD.
I would really appreciate a good concise article which can be used with
not only "lay" but "professional" people who should really know better.
I is this very perception which creates a
climate where others begin
to view the medication as a "salable" item. I have spent years as
a school nurse letting other students know that they are being "ripped
of"' if they purchase Dextroamphetamine to get a "high" or "buzz".
I have even sat down with the school based police officer and assisted
interviewing approx 15 girls involved in buying Dextroamphetamine and using
it. We sat them around a table & asked them to recount their
experience of the drug over 12 hours. The end result was 14 out of
the 15 described unpleasant and nauseating experiences. One felt
"just fine" & we had our doubts about her anyway cause we had previously
thought she may do well having some!! Is it possible you could address
this very issue.
Regards,Chris"
The
response: (from Tricia Legg, editor adhdezine.com)
Researching this article
to answer the email, I have read a lot of information from the Internet
on Dextroamphetamine. My overwhelming opinion is, that if you have not
been prescribed this drug by your doctor, don’t take it as a recreational
drug. The ingredients could cause immense damage to any human body that
does not need them. Talking to a chemist, about these drugs, he admits
the recreational use of Adderall and Dexedrine is a growing problem, with
many break-ins to pharmacies to get them.
Some
facts.
Dextroamphetamine is also
known as Dexedrine™, and Adderall™ is the trade name of a combination
amphetamine product containing either 2.5 or 5 mg each of: dextroamphetamine
saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, amphetamine sulfate and dextroamphetamine
sulfate.
Therefore Adderall and Dexedrine
both belong to the amphetamine class of drugs used for ADD in children
(and sometimes adults). In treating children with attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder, amphetamines produce a calming effect. This action of amphetamines
results in a decrease in hyperactivity and an increase in the child's attention
span. “Stimulant medications -- which stimulate areas of the brain that
control attention, impulses, and self-regulation of behavior help at least
70 percent of children with ADHD respond positively to treatment.”
cites research carried out for the company that makes Adderall.
Adderall with
ADHD and ADD
Adderall is a stimulant
medication for the treatment of ADHD. It has been shown to improve attention
span, decrease distractibility, improve the ability to follow directions
and complete tasks, and decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Adderall is generally well
tolerated. While adverse reactions are rare, the most frequently reported
adverse reactions include anorexia, insomnia, stomach pain, headache, irritability,
and weight loss. These side effects are similar to those seen with other
stimulant medications used to treat ADHD. As with most stimulant medications
indicated for ADHD, the possibility of growth suppression and the potential
for precipitating motor tics and Tourette's syndrome exists with Adderall
treatment, and, in rare cases, of psychosis have been reported. Since
all amphetamines have a high potential for abuse, Adderall should be used
only as part of a comprehensive treatment program under close physician
supervision.
Dextroamphetamine
with ADD and ADHD
Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine™
) is a stimulant that can increase or stimulate some brain activity. It
can improve attention span, concentration, and emotional control, while
reducing restless or overactive behavior. Dextroamphetamine treats attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder in children. It can also help adults who have a
condition called narcolepsy, an illness that makes you unable to stay awake.
USA Federal law prohibits the transfer of dextroamphetamine to any person
other than the patient for whom it was prescribed. Do not share this medicine
with anyone else.
Dextroamphetamine:
adverse reactions.
Dextroamphetamine produces
a decreased sense of fatigue, an increase in motor activity and mental
alertness, mild euphoria, and brighter spirits. Amphetamines
seem to exert an anorexia effect. As a result of these effects, weight
decreases.
Adverse reactions to dextroamphetamine
can be serious. Those requiring medical attention include: cardiac arrhythmias
(irregular heart rate) and angina, Tourette's syndrome,( a tic condition
in which the individual has had a variety of involuntary movements and
at least one involuntary sound) and hyperthermia. During prolonged use
of high doses, the following adverse reactions can occur: cardiomyopathy
(heart muscle disease), palpitations, hypertension, or psychosis. Other
side effects not usually requiring medical attention include: blurred vision,
libido increase, diarrhoea, weight loss, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache,
and tremor.
Stopping taking it suddenly
can cause a withdrawal syndrome with as depression, nausea/vomiting, abdominal
pain or cramps, constipation, or anorexia.
Serious side effects with
dextroamphetamine include:
-
anxiety,
or nervousness
-
changes
in mood or behavior
-
chest
pain, fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
-
fever,
or hot, dry skin
-
skin
rash and itching (hives)
-
uncontrollable
head, neck, arm, or leg movements
Minor side effects with dextroamphetamine
include:
-
a false
sense of well being, nervousness, restlessness, or difficulty sleeping
-
blurred
vision
-
changes
in sexual ability or desire
-
constipation
or diarrhea
-
dizziness
or lightheadedness
-
headache
-
increased
sweating
-
loss
of appetite
-
nausea,
vomiting
-
stomach
upset or cramps
-
weight
loss
A recent web posting in an ADD
chatroom recounts how an ADD person recently found out that her roommate,
who does not have ADD, has been stealing small quantities of her prescription.
The roommate had heard adderall acts like speed in a normal person and
since she is trying to diet, she thought it would make her lose weight
faster. The ADD persons concern was about her health.The question was asked
of the resident doctor in the chatroom,” Are there any substantial, long-term
health effects I should tell her about? What is the effect a normal (non-ADD)
person would experience with this drug and can it become addictive?”
The doctor’s answer was,”No
long term effects if she stops. She is correct, it does act like speed
and some individuals will become physically addicted if taking sufficiently
high doses for sufficiently long periods of time. It has minimal effects
on losing weight.”
So it can cause addiction.
This message is from a long time misuser,”I’ve been a (almost daily)
methylamphetamine (very similar to Dextroamphetamine) user for the
last 10 years or so. I want to quit, but am having problems with the withdrawal.
I am perfectly functional with light to moderate use, but become totally
non-functional when I'm not on the drug. Not only do I experience the usual
symptoms (irritability, extreme depression, inability to get going, etc.),
but I also experience strange seizure-like brain anomalies. These can be
quite frightening, usually occurring while lying down before I get to sleep
and kind of feel like an aneurysm(a weak spot in a blood vessel that causes
it to swell like a balloon and possibly burst. ) and like all the neurons
in my brain fire at once or like fireworks going off in my head. “
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