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Dextroamphetamine Facts

Stimulant; Substituted amphetamine; Dopamine releasing agent

Description

Dextroamphetamine (d-amphetamine) — dex, dexies — is a synthetic stimulant of the phenethylamine class. It works by flooding the synapse with dopamine and norepinephrine, producing its characteristic drive and focus.[1]

Subjective effects include heightened focus, mental clarity, increased motivation, euphoria, and appetite suppression. The overall character is one of focused drive — sustained mental acceleration and heightened confidence, closer to an idealized concentration state than to intoxication.

Dextroamphetamine carries high psychological dependence liability and cardiovascular toxicity that worsens with chronic use;[2] the FDA warns of sudden cardiac death in people with structural heart problems.[3] Tolerance builds through receptor adaptation, but intermittent use can instead strengthen the reward response — driving compulsive escalation.[4][5]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 3.75 mgLight3.75 – 10 mgCommon10 – 16 mgStrong16 – 30 mgHeavy30+ mg

Starts in 15 – 30 minLasts 6 – 8 hoursAfter-effects 3 – 6 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Moderate
Chronic toxicity
Moderate
Physical dependence
Low
Psychological dependence
High
Withdrawal
Moderate
Compulsive redosing
Moderate

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
14 days
Carries over to
methamphetamine; lisdexamfetamine; mixed amphetamine salts; methylphenidate

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Dreaming suppression; +3 possible
Body
Appetite suppression; Dry mouth; Insomnia; Physical fatigue; Pupil dilation; Stimulation; Vasoconstriction; Wakefulness; +20 possible, including Heart rate perception changes, Bruxism, Dehydration sensation
Thinking
Cognitive euphoria; +23 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge, Cognitive dysphoria, Thought loops
Feeling
Euphoria; +8 possible, including Anxiety, Dysphoria, Anhedonia
Self
none likely · 9 possible, including Craving, Ego inflation
Time
none likely · 2 possible
Awareness
One-pointedness (ekaggata); Sustained attention (vicara); +1 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Symptomatic cardiovascular disease; Moderate-to-severe hypertension; Hyperthyroidism; MAOI use within 14 days; Glaucoma
Relative
Psychotic disorders; Bipolar disorder; Pregnancy

Combinations61 recorded

Lethal (3)
Ibogaine; MAOIs; Tramadol
Dangerous (33)
Anticholinergics; Atypical antipsychotics; Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates; Caffeine; Dopamine agonists; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; Opioids; Psychedelics; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Antihistamines; Antipsychotics; Buspirone; Clonidine, Guanfacine; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; and 9 more, see full page
Caution (22)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/dextroamphetamine
Not graded (3)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Chest pain; racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
  • Very high body temperature; heavy sweating; hot, flushed skin
  • Severe agitation, paranoia, panic, or confusion
  • Severe headache; muscle rigidity or twitching
  • Seizures
  • Signs of stroke — face drooping, one-sided weakness, slurred speech
  • Difficulty breathing; collapse or unconsciousness

What to do

  1. Call emergency services for chest pain, overheating, seizure, or unresponsiveness
  2. Move them to a cool, quiet place and reduce stimulation
  3. Cool the body — remove excess clothing, apply cool damp cloths, fan them
  4. Keep them calm; reassure — panic worsens the cardiovascular strain
  5. If seizing, protect from injury (don't restrain); recovery position afterward
  6. Monitor breathing and be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR

Most stimulant overdoses settle with cooling, a calm environment, and time. The medical danger is hyperthermia, cardiac events (arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke), and seizures — get help immediately if any appear.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

Version r1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^Untitled doi:10.1186/1471-2210-6-6
  2. [2]
    ^Chan M, Chan JJ, Wright JM (2025) Effect of amphetamines on blood pressure — Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews doi:10.1002/14651858.cd007896.pub4
  3. [3]
    ^StatPearls / NCBI Bookshelf (2024) Dextroamphetamine-Amphetamine (StatPearls, NBK507808) Link
  4. [4]
    ^Garcia V, Collins SA, Hernandez E, et al. (2025) A proposed mechanism for amphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization involving the vesicular monoamine transporter — Brain Research doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2025.149848
  5. [5]
    ^Untitled doi:10.1016/s0006-8993(86)80193-7
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