Desoxyn

Desoxyn is a drug used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Read on to find all about this medicine including its uses, dosage, interactions and side effects.

What is Desoxyn?

Desoxyn (Methamphetamine) is a CNS stimulant capable of increasing mental alertness and concentration by affecting those chemicals in the brain which are responsible for impulse control. It is the brand name for methamphetamine hydrochloride and belongs to the group of sympathomimetic amines.

Picture 1 – Desoxyn

Desoxyn Uses

The drug is used in curing ailments like:

1. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: This syndrome is characterized by lowered mental alertness, short attention span and reduced concentration. This is a common disease in small children. Desoxyn is one of the integral aspects of the therapy used for the treatment of this syndrome. The medicine helps by producing a stabilizing effect on patients.
2. Exogenous Obesity: In case an obese individual fails to respond to other remedial measures like diet change or exercise, this drug can be used for weight reduction with successful consequences.

 

The drug has also been successfully used for the treatment of narcolepsy and treatment-resistant depression.

Dosage and Administration of Desoxyn

You should take the drug as per the dose prescribed by the doctor. Since the drug is addictive, it might be misused by the patient. A caregiver should ensure that the patient does not take an excessive dosage of this drug. There are different routes for administering the drug. These include:

1. Injection: The intravenous route is associated with some risks like the patient may develop pulmonary embolism or skin rashes at the point of administration. Again, if the needle used for injecting the drug has not been sterilized properly, it can result in infections like HIV or hepatitis.
2. Smoking: This involves burning Desoxyn and making patients inhale the resulting fumes. The problem with this kind of administration is that chances of toxicity are higher when compared to other routes.
3. Insufflations: In this method, the drug is allowed to be absorbed through soft tissue of mucous membrane in sinus cavity.
4. Ingestion (swallowing): The onset of action varies depending on the route of administration. Intravenous injection is the fastest route while ingestion is the slowest one.
5. Suppository (anal or vaginal insertion): This practice is not much common as the patient might hesitate to use anal or vaginal route for drug administration. Some other common names of the drug are “potato thumping”, “plugging” and “hooping”.

Side Effects of Desoxyn

The common side effects of Desoxyn (Methamphetamine) include swelling of body parts like face and tongue, difficulty in breathing and uneven heartbeat. Some other negative effects associated with this medication are:

• Sudden increase in blood pressure may occur resulting to headache, blurred vision, seizures and anxiety.
• Hallucinations, tremors and muscle twitches are also noticed in some people taking this drug.
• Meth mouth, another typical side effect caused by this drug, refers to a condition in which a patient loses his/her teeth quickly. The mechanism behind this side effect is not completely understood. However, the role of caustic nature of drug and the dry mouth due to Desoxyn intake is considered to be responsible.

If you notice any of these side effects, contact your doctor immediately. Since the drug is used in small children, it is the responsibility of their caregiver to notice these negative effects and consult a doctor for remedial measures.

Overdose of Desoxyn

An overdose of this drug commonly results in symptoms like

• Tremor
• Muscle twitches
• Difficulty in breathing
• Dark colored urine
• Muscle pain

Some other symptoms of overdose include tiredness, nausea, vomiting, seizures and uneven heart beats. If you notice any of these symptoms, immediately consult your physician.

Precautions with Desoxyn

Desoxyn is a FDA pregnancy C category drug. It is not known whether it is harmful or not in pregnancy. In some pregnant women, however, the drug has been found to be responsible for problems like premature birth or low weight baby. If you are pregnant, inform your doctor and ask for expert advice before taking the medication. You should also inform the doctor about your complete medical history including any serious disease that you may have had in the past. The drug is not recommended in case you are suffering from a heart disease, thyroid problem or anxiety. In some patients having cardiac problems, the use of Desoxyn has been known to result in death.

Picture 2 – Desoxyn Image

This drug can also hamper the physical growth of your child. If you find that your child is not having a normal growth while taking the medication, consult your physician without delay.

This drug should not be used in a child who is less than 12 years in age without the recommendation of a doctor.

Drug Interactions of Desoxyn

Desoxyn is capable of interacting with the following drugs:

• Insulin
• Decongestants and cough syrups
• Phenothiazines ( Promithazine, Thioridazine)
• Antidepressants ( Clomipramine, Desipramine)

If you are taking any of these medications, inform your doctor in advance. An experienced medical care provider will take all the necessary steps to eliminate any chances of interaction between Desoxyn and other drugs. The measures generally used for this purpose include change in dosage or use of alternative drugs. Even if you are taking any over-the-counter drug, you should inform your doctor as other interactions are possible as well.