Does your child have a hard time sitting still? Or does he or she often lose focus? Maybe you or someone you know is uncontrollably sleeping during the day. Today, we are going to talk about a special medicine that doctors recommend to treat such conditions.
What kind of medicine is this? Let's understand exactly.
The name of this medicine is Dextroamphetamine . It comes in the form of a solution. Simply put, it is a stimulant. This means that it increases brain activity slightly, helping to control attention and impulsive behavior.
This medicine is mainly used for two medical conditions.
1. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): This condition is seen in young children and some adults. This medication helps them pay attention to their tasks and reduce impulsive behavior.
2. Narcolepsy: This is a condition where people suddenly fall asleep without control. This medication helps them stay awake during the day.
The most important thing is that this is a medicine that should only be taken on the recommendation of a doctor. It is not at all good to use it as you please.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
Before starting this medicine, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your or your child's health condition. This is because it can be dangerous to use this medicine with certain medical conditions. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Illness or condition | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure | This medication can increase heart rate and blood pressure, so it is risky for people with heart disease. |
| Mental health problems (e.g. anxiety, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts) | Some mental symptoms may be exacerbated by this medication. |
| Glaucoma condition | This is not good for this condition because it can increase eye pressure. |
| A history of seizures or stroke | This can increase the risk of such situations occurring. |
| A history of drug or alcohol addiction | This medication also has the potential to be addictive, so the doctor should be aware of that. |
| Thyroid disease | Thyroid hormone levels can be affected. |
| Kidney or liver disease | Since these organs are important in the process of removing drugs from the body, if they are affected, the dosage may need to be adjusted. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant/if you are a breastfeeding mother | It is imperative to seek medical advice regarding the use of this medicine during these times. |
| Allergies to other medications, foods, or dyes | Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
Since this is a liquid, it is very important to measure the dosage.
- Correct measurement: Use only the special measuring spoon, cup, or syringe that comes with the medicine. Do not use regular kitchen teaspoons. They are not accurate.
- How to take: Take by mouth with a glass of water.
- Food: Can be taken with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
- Timing: Take the prescribed dose, at the prescribed time, as prescribed by your doctor. Continue taking it until your doctor tells you to stop.
- For children: Although this medicine is recommended for children over 6 years of age for some conditions, special care should be taken. The doctor will regularly check the child's weight and height.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
What if I take too much medicine?
This is an emergency. If you think you or someone else has taken too much of this medicine, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal products, and painkillers), as some medications can interact with this medication and cause dangerous conditions.
| Never use Dextroamphetamine with these. | |
|---|---|
| MAOI-type antidepressants (MAOIs) | For example: Marplan, Nardil, Parnate. It is not recommended to take Dextroamphetamine for at least 2 weeks after stopping these. |
| Linezolid | This is an antibiotic. |
| Methylene blue | This is a substance used for medical purposes. |
| Be careful when using these together (tell your doctor) | |
| Medication for other mental illnesses | Medication for depression and anxiety. |
| Some medications for migraines | For example: Sumatriptan. |
| Alcohol | Side effects may increase. |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | It may affect the effectiveness of the medicine. |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Risk of addiction: This is something to be careful of. When this medicine is used for a long time, especially if you take more than the prescribed dose, the body and mind can become dependent on it. That means there is a risk of addiction. Therefore , do not take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor for any reason.
- Stopping the medication: It is not a good idea to stop the medication suddenly. Doing so can cause discomfort. If necessary, the doctor will gradually reduce the dosage.
- Effects on sleep: Since this is a stimulant, it may make it difficult to fall asleep if taken at night. Therefore, take it when your doctor tells you to, usually in the morning.
- Loss of appetite: You may experience loss of appetite during the initial stages of taking the medication. Small, frequent meals can help. Pay particular attention to the weight and height of children.
- Finger changes: If you notice any tingling, pain, or white/blue discoloration in your fingers or toes while taking this medicine, tell your doctor right away. This could be Raynaud's syndrome .
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are normal and go away in a few days. But some are serious.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Heart problems | Chest pain, tightness, difficulty breathing, fast or irregular heartbeat. |
| Mental changes | Severe restlessness, agitation, seeing/hearing things that are not there, suicidal thoughts. |
| Symptoms of Stroke | Numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, sudden severe headache. |
| Seizure | Sudden loss of consciousness and a feeling of convulsions. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Dry mouth | Headache |
| Loss of appetite and weight loss | Stomach ache, nausea |
| Difficulty falling asleep | |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
How to keep medicine safe?
This is very important. This medicine has the potential to be abused , so it must be stored safely.
- Keep out of reach of children: Keep in a locked place, out of the reach of children and pets.
- Do not share with others: This medicine is for you only. It is dangerous and illegal to give it to anyone else.
- Storage: Store at room temperature (20-25 Celsius), protected from light, with the bottle cap tightly closed.
- Expired medicines: Do not use expired medicines. Dispose of them properly.
Take-Home Message
- Dextroamphetamine is a brain stimulant medication used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all medications you are taking.
- Always use the measuring device provided with the medicine to measure the dose. Do not use kitchen spoons.
- Because there is a risk of addiction to this medication, never take more than the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
- If you experience serious side effects such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe mental changes, seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else. It could be dangerous for their lives too.
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