I'm 19 years of age and in college.  Just yesterday I used 20mg of
dexodrine (or Dextroamphetamine) before an early morning test at the
recommendation of one of my freinds.  My results were very positive.. 
I took two capsules of Dexodrine time release capsules (10mg each)
about 3 hours before the test right when I woke up.  I studied for two
hours before the test very efficiently and I actually felt a bit
excited about studying, which is never usually the case.  I just felt
good and relaxing.  It felt like I could think a lot more clearly. 
Distractions were much less prevailant.  I took 20mg again this
morning (even though I didn't have a test), and once again had a
positive effect while sitting in class.  Often times I get easily
distracted especially while reading, and my memory isn't all that
great at all either.  Overall, I feel these drugs keep me focused
quite a bit more than without them.

Here is where help comes in.  I'd like some detailed answers on if
these stimulants are safe to use, and a good amount of info about
whether this is safe to do and just some tips/generl information about
this subject.  They make me feel much more relaxed and they make me
concentrate better.  I don't think I have any of the negative side
effects in using the drug.  I've definitely noticed a decrease in
appetite (which I could most definitely use, seeing how I am 193
pounds/5'10 or 11).  I wouldn't be using these pills every day, but
just every now and then; maybe one/two days per week?  I did hear
someone mention it could stop growth :-\

I'd like recommendations on whether this is safe, and anything else
someone can chime in about the subject.  I think the pills make me
feel even a little bit more social, and that's pretty imporant for me
being that I'm not an extremely social person.  I've just tried it
twice in my entire life (the past 2 days), and frankly it just makes
me feel a whole lot happier.

Thanks!
Dan

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Clarification of Question by wiz331-ga on 17 Feb 2006 15:19 PST

I would definitely appreciate it if the person who decided to answer
me is qualified and knows a little something about the Health
industry.  These $15 aren't coming out of my ass; i'm a freakin
college student ;-)  I know it's not too much, but for the sake of the
subject.  :-)

I took prescription stimulants for 6 years, believe me, I know what
you mean. I recommend going to a Doctor and explaining your symptoms
of being unfocused, your inability to concentrate and study
effectively, that you are easily distracted, and ask for an Adult ADD
or ADHD evaluation so you can get a medical diagnosis and a legal
prescription to what drug would be BEST FOR YOU. It's best to be under
a Doctor's care when using these types of drugs, they are
habit-forming (addictive) and can affect other body systems. For
instance, I had to get liver studies periodically and ultimately had
to quit taking my drug [ *sniff* ] when it began to affect my liver.

Good luck!

I am not a medical doctor, but do work in the field, so please take
this "comment" cautiously.  Dexedrine is a medication which is used
for ADHD/ADD.  Typically is it one that a medical doctor or
psychiatrist would prescribe after trying a few of the standard ones
(Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall) because Dexadrine is, as the name
dextroamphetamine indicates, an amphetamine...essentially speed. 
Doctors are hesitant to prescribe Dexadrine initially because it is
HIGHLY addictive.  So you want to be VERY careful taking this and
should only use it under the supervision of a medical doctor.  I
understand that at this point you are only planning on taking it
occasionally, but you could very easily become dependant upon it and
essentially start to "crash" as the medication wears off.

Sorry...I submitted that before I was done.

Anyway, my advise would be to first of all, not use the medication
without consulting a doctor.  Generally, your regular MD is willing
and able to prescribe meds for ADHD and you don't need to see a
psychiatirst.  That would be the best way for you to get medications
for ADHD/ADD.  And I would bet that you could find an medication that
would be effective for you and is much less addictive than Dexadrine. 
Another piece of advice...contact your schools department that deals
with students who have a disability.  They have great resources and
recommendations.  Ultimately, if you do get diagnosed with ADHD/ADD
they can also provide accommodations in school that can help "even the
playing field."  They can do things like authorizing you to have
additional time on exams, take tests in private rooms, and stuff like
that.  So bottom line, Dexadrine...HIGHLY addictive and NOT AT ALL
safe for you to take without the supervision of a doctor.

Thanks so much for the advice.  I don't think it's so much that I have
a learning disability..I'm pretty normal, I get above average grades. 
It's just taking the pill makes me yearn to study even harder, and
makes me wide awake for when I'm studying, and more importantly when
I'm taking the exam.

Is the only real "danger" me becoming dependant upon it?

So to sum it up, I don't think I have ADD/ADHD (I mean, I may have a
few weak signals as being distracted easily, but I'm sure many people
do); it's just I'm amazed at the power of the pill.  If becoming
dependent on the pill is the only concern..  I won't become dependent
on it.  I have enough sense.. :-\

..."Is the only real "danger" me becoming dependant upon it? ..."

Isn't that enough? You want to take a drug that will inevitably cause
addiction. Read what happens to amphetamine addicts and see if that
falls into your "plan."

The euphoria you feel is FALSE. (yes, it's called euphoria, not:

a bit excited about studying
good and relaxing
could think a lot more clearly
Distractions were much less prevailant
focused quite a bit more than without them
more relaxed and they make me concentrate better


You also said:

..."I don't think I have any of the negative side effects in using the drug..."

Of course not, wait till you've been using it for 6 months.

..."I've definitely noticed a decrease in appetite (which I could most
definitely use, seeing how I am 193 pounds/5'10 or 11)..."

Exactly, wait till you've lost 25 pounds in 3 months, explain that to
your friends, and FYI, when you begin "minimizing" your amphetamine
use, you are addicted.

..."I wouldn't be using these pills every day, but just every now and
then; maybe one/two days per week? ..."

Actually, you have already used it two days in a row. Bad idea.

..."I'd like recommendations on whether this is safe, and anything else
someone can chime in about the subject..."

NO, this is NOT safe. It's a bad idea. 

And by the way, don't think I'm a prude about drugs, I'm not, I just
know about dexadrine. Trust me.

~~Cynthia

Addiction isn't about "having enough sense."  Many intelligent,
reasonable people become addicted without intending to.  I find it
interesting that you took it the first day, loved it, and then decided
to take it the second day even though you didn't have another exam. 
It is also interesting that in your original question you stated:

Often times I get easily
distracted especially while reading, and my memory isn't all that
great at all either.  

Those are classic signes of ADD/ADHD.  Do you realize you're
considering illegaly taking a very addictive prescription drug, but
are not willing to consider meeting with your medical doctor to even
find out whether you may or may not have ADHD/ADD?  You may not have
ADD/ADHD.  But ultimately, I don't think that's the point.

Dexadrine is a highly addictive amphetamine.  After a quick google
search, I also found these other side effects: it raises your blood
pressure, can cause irregular heartbeats, restlessness, dificulty
sleeping, headaches, impotence (yep, impotence), low sex drive, and
psychosis.  As an aside, the FDA is considering adding what they call
a black box warning to all stimulant medications for ADD/ADHD warning
that they can cause heart attacks in people who have undiagnosed heart
problems.  The risk of the side effects increase the more often the
medication is used.

Seriously, this is not a safe drug to take without the supervision of
a doctor.  Look at your response to my original comment, you're
already starting to rationalize your using this medication and you
haven't even really used it all that much.  Please, at the very least
talk it over with a trusted friend.

Is the only real "danger" me becoming dependant upon it?

First off, I took 20mg of Adderall every day for over a year. I
stopped because it doesn't cure anything. So, in effect, you do become
dependant on it, but not addicted (at least not Adderall, and not me.)
So, if you like this, get ready to spend money on it for the rest of
your life. Like coffee.

You probably don't have ADD/ ADHD. Most people who take these drugs
don't. They just think they might because they read about symptoms of
ADD/ ADHD and say "Wow, that's me." And they go and ask their doctor
to have some speed, ahem, I mean, dextroamphetamines. And he
prescribes them. And the person takes them and they instantly feel
better. Because it's speed.

These drugs, in my opinion, are very dangerous. And after taking them
for so long, I can say that I feel worse than before. I'm having to
re-train my brain to concentrate by itself, without the aid of these
drugs. The scary thing is that 10% of 10yo boys in the United States
are on drugs for ADD/ ADHD.

If you use them, do it in moderation.

Just my opinion, but the reason you have trouble paying
attention/remembering things in class is because you are bored and not
that interested in what is taking place. Sure the drugs make you feel
more focused and attentive, but artificially. I would suggest
adjusting your life and your activities to find something that engages
you because you like it and not because you're all hopped up on
stimulants. I'm not going to say that ADD/ADHD don't exist, but they
are definately used as an excuse by parents and people when really
people just aren't doing what they like to do. Think of all of the
things that you like to do, do you have trouble paying attention then?
that could be your answer right there...

Another thing to consider is something called status learning (or
something like that). I means that what you learn in some particular
state of mind is best remembered in that same state of mine.

Thus when you take ampphetamines to study, you do not remember that
information well unless you are also on amphetamines.

That said..... it sounds like you may have ADHD

Some educated layman feedback here.... :)

Like the others have said, go over it with a doctor. It could be your
GP (general practitioner), but doctors vary a *lot* in knowledge and
understanding. You might consider consulting a psychiatrist for this
reason.

Amphetamines can cause a *lot* of trouble if used improperly (eg.
dependence, lack of appetite, jaw clenching, sleep problems, anxiety,
etc). Nothing can replace working with a doctor to monitor things, and
to have someone to call if everything goes badly one night, even if
it's all taken on an "as needed" basis. This is true even of more
benign drugs.

Another reason a doctor is important - if concentration is a problem
for you, you may have more than ADHD, or you may have different than
ADHD. You mentioned that you're not social, and you implied that this
is due to some sort of inhibition (rather than a simple lack of
desire), since you liked the effect of being more social. You
mentioned the effects of feeling more relaxed and happier - this could
indicate a problem with depression/dysthymia. There are two drugs -
Straterra and Wellbutrin - which can be used for both ADHD and
depression (though I believe, in the US, ADHD is off-label for
Wellbutrin, and depression is off-label for Straterra). Or the best
drug for you, if anything, may be something else completely.

The goal, of course, is not to always be happy or never be bored...
but based on the information you gave, limited as it is, I'd say it
would definitely be worth seeing a doctor to discuss your concerns.