Desoxyn Uses

In the case of Desoxyn, uses of the medication include the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the short-term treatment of obesity. Desoxyn may be used to treat ADHD in children six years old and older. When Desoxyn is used for the short-term treatment of obesity, it can help people 12 years of age and older lose weight by suppressing appetite and boosting metabolism. Off-label Desoxyn uses may include the treatment of narcolepsy.

 

Desoxyn Uses: An Overview

Desoxyn® (methamphetamine hydrochloride) is a prescription medicine. Specific Desoxyn uses include:
 
  • Treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Short-term treatment of obesity.
     

Using Desoxyn for ADHD

ADHD is a condition involving difficulty paying attention, sitting still, and controlling behavior. In ADHD, these problems are worse than expected for a typical child of the same age. Usually, the ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of seven to qualify as ADHD. The symptoms must also affect the school, work, or social life in a negative way to qualify as ADHD (see ADHD and School and Relationships and ADHD for more information).
 
Although ADHD is generally thought of as a problem in children, teenagers and adults can also have the condition (see Adult ADHD). While Desoxyn has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating ADHD in adults, healthcare providers may prescribe it "off-label" for adults with ADHD.
 
Any behavioral change involves a well-balanced ADHD treatment plan, including social, educational, and mental therapy (see Behavior Therapy for ADHD). If lifestyle changes alone are not effective in changing ADHD-related behavior, medications (such as Desoxyn) may be necessary.
 
Desoxyn is a stimulant, although it can have effects that are opposite from what would be expected of a stimulant. While stimulants (like caffeine) can cause hyperactivity, Desoxyn usually has a calming effect when it is taken in doses intended for ADHD treatment. While it is not known exactly how Desoxyn produces a calming effect, it is clear that Desoxyn affects chemicals in the brain.
 
(Desoxyn Uses Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;