Drugs Dextroamphetamine

Aarskog, D., Fevang, F., Klove, H., Stoa, K., 6c Thorsen, T. (1977). The effect of stimulant drugs, dextroamphetamine and methylphemdate, on secretion of growth hormone in hyperactive children. Journal of Pediatrics, 90, 136-139. 

The amphetamines, such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and metliainphetainine (Desoxyn), are sympatiiomimetic (ie, adrenergic) dru that stimulate the CNS (see Chap. 22). Their drug action results in an elevation of blood pressure, wakefulness, and an increase or decrease in pulse rate The ability of these drugs to act as anorexiants and suppress the appetite is thought to be due to their action on the appetite center in the hypothalamus. 

When a CNS stimulant such as dextroamphetamine is administered to treat a child with ADD, the drug regimen will be periodically interrupted to determine if the child still exhibits the symptoms of ADD. 

Kornetsky C Hyporesponsivity of chronic schizophrenic patients to dextroamphetamine. Arch Gen Psychiatry 33 1425—1428, 1976 Kosten TR Pharmacotherapy of cerebral ischemia in cocaine dependence. Drug Alcohol Depend 49 133-144, 1998... 

Dopamine activity can be enhanced in one of four main ways. Medications can stimulate dopaminergic nerve cells to release dopamine into the synapse. This is the way that stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexe-drine), and dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall) work. In addition, certain drugs of abuse, notably cocaine and methamphetamine, act in part in this way. Providing more of the raw material that nerve cells use to manufacture dopamine can also increase dopamine activity. This is the approach that neurologists use when they prescribe L-DOPA (Sinemet) to patients with Parkinson s disease. Nerve cells convert L-DOPA into dopamine. L-DOPA otherwise has little place in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Dopamine activity can also be increased by medications that directly stimulate dopamine receptors. Bromocriptine, another medication used to... 

Methylphenidate and amphetamines have been used for ADHD management for many years but due to abuse potentials, these drugs are controlled substances." " Lisdexamfetamine itself is inactive and acts as a prodrug to dextroamphetamine upon cleavage of the lysine portion of the molecule. It was developed for the intention of creating a longer-lasting and more-difficult-to-abuse version of dextroamphetamine, as the requirement... 

There are four classes of antidepressants tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine, trimipramine, amitriptyline, doxepin, desipramine, protriptyline, nortriptyline, amoxapine, maprotiline) monoaminooxidase (MAO) inhibitors (phenelzine, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine) second-generation antidepressants or atypical antidepressants, which are a chemically dissimilar group of recently proposed drugs (bupropion, trazodone, fluoxetine) and amphetamines and other stimulators of the CNS (dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate). 

CNS stimulants can be classified as Psychomotor stimulants compounds that display a stimulatory effect primarily on brain functions and which activate mental and physical activity of the organism. They are made up of methylxanthines (caffeine, theophylline, pentoxifyllin), amphetamines (dextroamphetamine, methamphetamine), and also methylphenidate and pemoline. Respiratory stimulants or analeptics compounds, which cause certain activations of mental and physical activity of the organism, and primarily excite the vasomotor and respiratory centers of the medulla (doxapram, almitrine).Drwgi that suppress appetite or anorectics drags that activate mental and physical activity of the organism, but primarily accentuate the excitatory center of satiation in the hypothalamus (phentermine, diethylpropion).In order to increase mental capability, nootropics — drugs that increase the functional state of the brain — are sometimes used, the effect of which is associated with blood flow and metabolism of the brain. 

Dextroamphetamine should be used with caution and only upon medicinal indication in treating narcolepsy, consequences of encephalitis, and other illnesses accompanied by apathy, drowsiness, asthenia, for temporary increase of physical and mental capacity, in treating attention deficit disorder in children, and in treating obesity.Synonyms of this drug are D-amphetamine, dexamphetamine, dexalone, tempodex, zenidex, and many others. 

It possesses the same properties as dextroamphetamine and is used for the same indica-tions.Synonyms of this drug are peritin, filopon, desoxyn, methampex, and others. 

The acute effects of psychomotor stimulant overdoses are related to their CNS stimulant properties and may include euphoria, dizziness, tremor, irritability, and insomnia. At higher doses, convulsions and coma may ensue. These drugs are cardiac stimulants and may cause headache, palpitation, cardiac arrhythmias, anginal pain, and either hypotension or hypertension. Dextroamphetamine produces somewhat less cardiac stimulation. Chronic intoxication, in addition to these symptoms, commonly results in weight loss and a psychotic reaction that is often diagnosed as schizophrenia. 

The most commonly abused prescription drugs are opioids and opiates such as oxycodone and morphine, central nervous system depressants such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines, and stimulants such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Brand-name painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin, depressants such as Valium and Xanax, and stimulants such as Ritalin and Dexedrine are commonly abused (as are some OTC cough remedies). Although helpful and safe when used appropriately, these drugs can cause serious harm when taken in unapproved ways. 

Some of these drugs, such as Dexedrine, are derivatives of the illegal stimulant amphetamine. Some drugs, such as Adderall , are also used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD and actually contain a mixture of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. 

The primary drug therapies are psychostimulants which are indicated for both emotional based sleep disorders (i.e., narcolepsy) as well as ADHD. The drugs of choice are Ritalin (methylphenidate), dextroamphetamine or Cylert (pemoline), all CNS stimulants that effect the monoamine systems. The current therapies provide symptomatic relief but the current medications are not without side effects, including abuse potential, cardiovascular effects, insomnia, appetite suppression, head and stomach aches, crying and nervous mannerisms. 

Amphetamines. Drugs such as amphetamine (generic), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, others),... 

According to the U.S. Department of Justice s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, laevoamphetamine, and methampheta-mine (MAP) are all referred to as amphetamines because their chemical properties and actions are so similar that even experienced users have difficulty knowing which drug they have taken. Consequently, it doesn t matter what an amphetamine pill or capsule is called. The only difference between amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, for instance, is a few molecules of dextrose, a type of sugar. 

Dextroamphetamines are a part of the amphetamine class of drugs, central nervous system (CNS) stimulants that are used in the treatment of certain brain-based disorders. Because of their long-lasting and potent stimulant effects, they are also highly physically and psychologically addictive and have a high rate of abuse. 

During World War II, dextroamphetamines and methamphetamines were widely distributed among Allied, German, and Japanese soldiers to keep them awake and alert on the battlefield. Beyond the front, civilians who worked in factories manufacturing goods for the war effort were also using the drug to boost pro-... 

In 1952, Smith, Kline and French introduced the stimulant Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine sulfate) for narcolepsy in the United States. It was manufactured as a Spansule, the first time-release capsule, which gradually released the drug over a period of time. 

Dextroamphetamines come in capsule and tablet form. For the treatment of narcolepsy, patients are typically prescribed 5-60 mg per day. Patients with ADHD usually take anywhere from 3 to 60 mg depending on age and response to the drug. 

Illicit methods of taking amphetamines include smoking (in combination with marijuana or tobacco) or injecting it alone or with other drugs. The tablet form of the drug is sometimes crushed and snorted. Dextroamphetamine pills and capsules may also be taken orally by individuals who have no clinical need for the drug. 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that there were approximately 900,000 Americans age 12 and older misusing prescription stimulants in 1999. Because of its popularity as a treatment for ADHD, adolescents are at a special risk for misusing dextroamphetamine drugs. 

Dextroamphetamine stimulates the production of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters are the brain chemicals responsible for transporting electrical impulses from nerve cell to nerve cell. Dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure, triggers the euphoria that is related to dextroamphetamine use. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter thought to be responsible for the adrenaline-like effects of the drug. 

Because it stimulates the central nervous system, dextroamphetamine fights mental fatigue. The drug can also improve mood and give users a sense of power, euphoria, and well-being. With chronic use, however, it may cause obsessive thoughts and feelings of paranoia, anxiety, hypersensitivity—and, in extreme cases, psychosis. 

Dextroamphetamine also acts as an anoretic agent, suppressing appetite. Formulas popular in the 1970s, such as Obetrol, were marketed as weight loss drugs. 

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