Scottish Drugs Forum
Skip to Content | Skip to Main Navigation
Drug group - Stimulants
Street name
Dexies
Brand name
Dexedrine. (Celltech)
Drug effect
Strong stimulant (upper). Effects last 3-4 hours.
Description
White tablet (5mg), scored on one side, marked Evans above and DB5 below.
Therapeutic use
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Narcolepsy (uncontrolled sleeping)
Street use
Swallowed and injected
Dependency
Yes - mainly psychological
Withdrawal
Tolerance develops rapidly and users can use up to 50 times the therapeutic dose. Withdrawal is divided into two phases - the immediate "crash" or rebound which last for 2-3 weeks and is characterised by hunger, extreme fatigue and long periods of disturbed sleep. In the second phase, heavy users become irritable and depressed (sometimes severely). This phase can last weeks and sometimes months.
Long term use
Excessive restlessness and insomnia
Weight loss
Psychosis (hallucinations and paranoid thinking)
If injected - circulatory problems, infection risk
Overdose risk
Death from overdose is possible with large doses, but very rare. Overdose risk increases if dexamphetamine sulphate is mixed with drugs such as opiates, barbiturates or alcohol.
Legal status
Prescription Only Medicine
Class B, Schedule 2
Class A if prepared for injection
Illegal to possess without a prescription and to supply to others
Maximum penalty
Class A: Possession - 7 years, Supplying - Life
Class B: Possession - 5 years, Supplying - 14 years