How Long Does Dexedrine Stay in Your System?

Detection of Common ADHD Drug Depends on Many Variables

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Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 11, 2016

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.

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Steven Gans, MD
Updated on March 20, 2020
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The length of time that Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine), a commonly prescribed medicine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), remains in your body can vary from one day to three months. The period may depend on each individual's metabolism, body mass, age, hydration level, physical activity, and health conditions. Generally, the drug remains in urine, blood, and saliva for up to two days. It can be detected in hair follicles for as long as three months.

Timetable for Detecting Dexedrine

Urine, blood, and saliva recycle through your system quickly. Hair follicles act like the rings on a tree trunk that record the seasons. Your hair can store metabolites or a molecular history of what your body has ingested over time.

Type of Test Detection Window
Urine Detectable for 1 to 2 days
Blood Detectable for 1 to 2 days
Saliva Detectable for 1 to 2 days
Hair Follicle Detectable for up to 90 days

What Is Dexedrine?

Dexedrine is a central nervous system stimulant and type of amphetamine, also known by the brands Dextrostat and ProCentra. Dexedrine is used as part of a treatment program to control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. It is also used to treat narcolepsy. 

Dexedrine works by making certain brain chemicals last longer in the parts of the brain that control attention and alertness. By making these areas more active, the drugs can help a person focus their attention. Surprisingly, stimulants can help calm a person with ADHD.

Why It's Important to Take Dexedrine as Prescribed

It is important to know how long Dexedrine remains in the system because taking too much can have negative consequences. The product comes with a warning that it can be habit-forming so it should not be taken in larger doses or for a longer time than prescribed.

Although prescription stimulants have been shown to be relatively safe and effective in managing the symptoms, there exists a significant potential for misuse. Studies show that individuals with and without ADHD misuse stimulants to enhance performance.

Although stimulants may improve an individual's performance when given a rote-learning task, they do not improve IQ or work as a "smart pill." 

People who use the medication may be tempted to take larger amounts of Dexedrine than prescribed to further control symptoms, however, this can have negative effects. These negative effects include difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, irritability, hyperactivity, or changes in personality or behavior.

Symptoms of Dexedrine Overdose

If you suspect someone is suffering from a Dexedrine overdose, seek immediate medical attention or call 9-1-1. Symptoms of Dexedrine overdose may include the following:

  • Vomiting
  • Agitation
  • Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
  • Muscle twitching
  • Seizures
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Inappropriate happiness
  • Confusion
  • Hallucinating
  • Sweating
  • Flushing
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
  • Widening of pupils
  • Dry mouth or nose

Heart Attack or Sudden Death

Overusing Dexedrine can also cause serious heart problems or sudden death in children, teenagers, and adults, especially those with heart defects or serious heart problems. Additionally, Dexedrine has been known to cause stroke in adults.

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