dextroamphetamine

noun

dex·​tro·​am·​phet·​amine ˈdek-(ˌ)strō-am-ˈfe-tə-ˌmēn How to pronounce dextroamphetamine (audio)
-mən
: a drug consisting of the dextrorotatory form of amphetamine that is usually administered in the form of its sulfate (C9H13N)2·H2SO4 chiefly in the treatment of narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Note: Dextroamphetamine is a strong stimulant of the central nervous system and is a common drug of abuse.

Examples of dextroamphetamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Patients who took 30 milligrams or more of dextroamphetamine − or 40 milligrams of Adderall − developed psychosis and mania nearly 5.3 times more often than those who did not take the medication, according to the study published Thursday in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2024 The drugs include Adderall, Vyvanse and generic amphetamines, such as dextroamphetamine. Akshay Syal, M.d., NBC News, 12 Sep. 2024 Patients taking the highest dosages — more than 40 milligrams of Adderall, 100 mg of Vyvanse or 30 mg of dextroamphetamine — were 5.3 times more likely to develop psychosis than patients taking no stimulants. Akshay Syal, M.d., NBC News, 12 Sep. 2024 The risk was highest in those prescribed 30 milligrams (mg) or more of dextroamphetamine — which is equivalent to 40 mg of Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) or 100 mg of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine). Don Rauf, EverydayHealth.com, 18 Sep. 2024 The study found that those who took 40 milligrams of Adderall, 100 mg of Vyvanse or 30 mg of dextroamphetamine were 5.3 times more likely to develop psychosis than patients who didn’t take any stimulants, the outlet reported. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2024 Quotas Just like Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine salts), Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is an amphetamine-class stimulant classified by the DEA as a Schedule II drug. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 6 Sep. 2024 Sandoz dextroamphetamine medication at a pharmacy in Provo, Utah, on Nov. 30, 2023. Alexander Tin, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2024 In Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, none of the 15 pills sold as Adderall in November contained either of the medication’s active ingredients, dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dextroamphetamine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dextroamphetamine was in 1943

Dictionary Entries Near dextroamphetamine

Cite this Entry

“Dextroamphetamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dextroamphetamine. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

dextroamphetamine

noun
dex·​tro·​am·​phet·​amine ˌdek-(ˌ)strō-am-ˈfet-ə-ˌmēn, -mən How to pronounce dextroamphetamine (audio)
variants or chiefly British dexamphetamine
: a drug consisting of dextrorotatory amphetamine that is usually administered in the form of its sulfate (C9H13N)2·H2SO4, chiefly in the treatment of narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Note: Trademarks for preparations containing dexamphetamine include Adderall and Dexedrine. It is a strong stimulant of the central nervous system and is a common drug of abuse.

More from Merriam-Webster on dextroamphetamine

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