From the Guidelines
The maximum recommended dose of Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) for ADHD is 40 mg per day for adults and 40 mg per day for children over 6 years old, typically divided into multiple doses. This recommendation is based on the most recent and highest quality study available, which suggests that doses above 40 mg per day are not necessarily more effective and may increase the risk of side effects 1.
Key Considerations for Dexedrine Dosage
- Treatment usually starts with a lower dose (5-10 mg daily) and is gradually increased every week until optimal response is achieved.
- Dexedrine is a stimulant medication that works by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps improve attention, focus, and impulse control in people with ADHD.
- The medication should be taken exactly as prescribed, with the first dose typically in the morning and subsequent doses at 4-6 hour intervals to maintain effectiveness throughout the day while minimizing sleep disruption.
- Regular monitoring by a healthcare provider is essential to assess effectiveness and manage potential side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia, increased heart rate, or blood pressure changes.
Important Guidelines for Dexedrine Use
- Children weighing less than 25 kg generally should not receive single doses greater than 15 mg of MPH or 10 mg of DEX/AMP 1.
- Experts often limit the upper range to a total daily dose of 40 mg of AMP or 25 mg for a single dose of MPH, when MPH is given in multiple doses throughout the day 1.
- If the top recommended dose does not help, more is not necessarily better, and a change in drug or environmental or psychosocial intervention may be required 1.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
- Follow-up assessment should include evaluation of target symptoms of ADHD, asked regularly of the parent and of a teacher 1.
- Side effects should be systematically assessed by asking specific questions of patients and of parents about known side effects, such as insomnia, anorexia, headaches, social withdrawal, tics, and weight loss 1.
- Weighing the patient at each visit provides an objective measure of loss of appetite 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity: ... Only in rare cases will it be necessary to exceed a total of 40 mg per day
- The maximum dose of Dexedrine for ADHD is 40 mg per day.
- This dose should only be exceeded in rare cases 2.
From the Research
Maximum Dose of Dexedrine for ADHD
- The provided studies do not directly mention the maximum dose of Dexedrine for ADHD treatment.
- However, the studies discuss the safety and efficacy of various ADHD medications, including amphetamines, which are related to Dexedrine 3, 4, 5, 6.
- One study mentions dexamphetamine (DEX) as a comparator, but no trials meeting the inclusion criteria were found for DEX 5.
- Another study analyzes the safety profiles of methylphenidate, atomoxetine, and amphetamine, but does not provide information on the maximum dose of Dexedrine 6.
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to determine the maximum dose of Dexedrine for ADHD treatment.