Pultizer Prize-winning American columnist Jimmy Breslin wrote a front page feature story on Melanie Cane the author of Poisoned Love. Click on the icon to read Jimmy Breslin's cover story:
Dexedrine
Dexedrine is a stimulant drug (amphetamine) that was developed in the 1920s. Dexedrine was initially used to treat depression and obesity. Dexedrine can improve attention span, concentration, emotional control, and reduce restless or overactive behavior. Dexedrine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as narcolepsy. In my book, Poisoned Love, I tell that my father was prescribed Dexedrine for narcolepsy and depression and that I took Dexedrine and Ritalin for ADD.
Because Dexedrine is a stimulant, it has high potential for abuse. The stimulant effect may give way to a letdown period (crash) of depression and fatigue. The letdown period can be overcome by taking another dose, but this soon becomes a vicious cycle. If you habitually take Dexedrine in doses higher than recommended, or if you take Dexedrine over a long period of time, you may become dependent on Dexedrine and suffer from withdrawal symptoms when it is unavailable. Dexedrine is an addictive drug. This is why stringent controls have greatly reduced the medical use of Dexedrine. Because Dexedrine is a controlled substance, it is difficult to get a prescription for it and the prescription is in triplicate. Only physicians with a DEA number can prescribe it. In my book, Poisoned Love, my boyfriend, who was a psychiatrist, prescribed Dexedrine for me because my treating psychiatrist refused to.
The use of Dexedrine to control hyperactive children with behavior problems has been known since the 1920s, but drug trials were not conducted until the early 1930s. Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) was approved by the FDA in 1958. In the 1950’s, the semi-synthetic derivative methylphenidate was developed and marketed as Ritalin. Since Ritalin had fewer side effects than Dexedrine, Ritalin became the medication of choice for ADHD. Though a new compound of Dexedrine is coming back into favor because of its longer action. Both Ritalin and Dexedrine have short acting forms that last about 4 hours. Dexedrine also comes in a long acting from that reaches peak blood levels 8 to 10 hours after administration.
Side effects of Dexedrine are: agitation/irritability, insomnia, dry mouth, headache, weight loss. Other side effects are reduced stature, ticks, “zombie demeanor”, stomach aches and moodiness.
Clinical experience suggests that Dexedrine, as well as other amphetamines, (also called “speed” or “uppers”), can exacerbate symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder in psychotic children.
Cardiovascular Reactions to Dexedrine include heart palpitations, tachycardia, and elevated blood pressure.
Central Nervous system reactions to Dexedrine include psychotic episodes, over stimulation, restlessness, dizziness, insomnia, euphoria, dyskinesia, dysphoria, tremor, headache, exacerbation of motor and phonic tics, and Tourette’s syndrome.
Gastrointestinal effects of Dexedrine include dry mouth, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, constipation as well as anorexia and weight loss.
Allergic reactions to Dexedrine include urticaria (hives).
Endocrine reactions to Dexedrine include impotence and changes in libido.
Because of its addictive nature, Dexedrine has been widely abused. Tolerance, extreme psychological dependence, and severe social disability have occurred.
The drug produces a short-term mood elevation even in people who are not depressed. College students and truck drivers often use drugs like Dexedrine to stay awake all night. I never abused Dexedrine, but I did suffer the side effects of insomnia and decreased appetite.
Interested in learning more about Dexedrine and its affects? Get your copy of Poisoned Love today!
