Get help today 888-744-0069 or sign up for 24/7 text support.
American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

Desoxyn Abuse Signs, Symptoms, and Addiction Treatment

What Is Desoxyn Prescribed For?

Desoxyn is a prescription stimulant medication that contains methamphetamine hydrochloride. It is available in 5 mg tablets that are intended for oral use.1,2

Desoxyn is prescribed for the treatment of:1

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6 years and older.
  • Obesity that is related to overeating and has not been well treated with other methods like diets, weight loss programs, and other medications.

The methamphetamine in Desoxyn is a member of a broader class of substances called amphetamines. Other drugs in this class include Adderall and Dexedrine.

As a stimulant medication, Desoxyn increases the activity of a group of neurotransmitters in the brain called monoamines, including dopamine. Generally, the medication is provided at a very low dose that is safely adjusted for the individual. However, when too much Desoxyn is taken or the drug is taken without a medical need, increased dopamine activity can lead to a feeling of euphoria, or a “high,” and addiction becomes more likely.3,4


Desoxyn Abuse

While Desoxyn is a legal prescription stimulant, it does have the potential for abuse. The methamphetamine in Desoxyn produces powerful effects that are stronger than those of other amphetamines and last for long periods—as long as 8 hours once in the body.2 In fact, Desoxyn is so prone to abuse that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has labeled it a Schedule II substance.2

Despite warnings and restrictions, the DEA reports that about 12 million people have abused methamphetamine at some point, although this figure accounts for those who abuse illicit meth as well.2 In 2014, there were 1.6 million people in the U.S. who admitted to currently abusing some form of stimulant.5

If you are currently abusing Desoxyn, you don’t have to wait to get help. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of addiction treatment programs. You can call one of our treatment representatives free at at any time, day or night, to get started on the life you deserve.


Signs and Symptoms of Desoxyn Abuse

When it comes to the use of prescription medications, it can sometimes be challenging to observe whether use has turned into abuse. If someone is prescribed the substance and takes it as prescribed for the reason it is prescribed, this is not abuse. However, when use patterns veer away from this, the user enters dangerous territory.

Desoxyn’s abuse potential lies in the pleasurable feelings it can elicit (which the user will want to replicate with repeat and increasing doses). These include:3,6

  • An increased sense of well-being.
  • Increased energy and alertness with decreased need for sleep.
  • Improved levels of attention.
  • Sense of enhanced mental abilities.
  • Decreased appetite.

It should be noted that despite their reputation as study- or knowledge-enhancing drugs, there is no evidence to show that prescription stimulants improve academic performance in people without ADHD. In reality, people who abuse stimulants tend to have lower grades than classmates who do not.3,7

The wanted effects of Desoxyn use eventually give way to the side effects of the medication, which include:1,2,6

  • Lower appetite.
  • Inability to sleep.
  • Restlessness.
  • Irritability.
  • Decreased attention.
  • Impaired judgment.
  • Personality changes.
  • Higher body temperature.
  • Sweating.
  • High blood pressure/quickened pulse.
  • Breathing issues.
  • Chest pain.
  • Anxiety.
  • Tremors.

Some of these signs and symptoms may present as normal side effects of Desoxyn use, but they will increase in number, frequency, and intensity as the substance is abused.


Effects of Desoxyn Abuse

As a person misuses Desoxyn, they are at risk of not only the side effects associated with the drug, but also of becoming addicted.

The Path to Desoxyn Addiction

As use or abuse of Desoxyn continues, the person is in danger of developing a dependency on the drug, as well as increased tolerance.

As tolerance begins to build, Desoxyn no longer has the ability to produce the results it once did. The user will have to continue upping their dose in order to counteract their increasing tolerance.

Dependence occurs when the brain begins to only operate normally with the substance present. When Desoxyn is not available or available at the desired level, the person will not feel well and will experience significant discomfort, called drug withdrawal.

Some amount of tolerance and physiological dependence may occur with normal prescription use, and not every user who experiences these phenomena will become addicted. However, recreational use or repeated misuse of a prescription places the user in a precarious position in which addiction is close at hand.

Addiction is seen in an intense desire to attain and use more Desoxyn, even when the likely outcomes will be negative. Someone addicted to the medication may:8

  • Have more chaotic relationships or isolate themselves from friends.
  • Face new legal or financial problems.
  • Struggle to maintain their responsibilities at home, work, or school.
  • Make multiple attempts to reduce or end use ineffectively.
  • Spend excessive time and energy in getting and using the drug.

Mental and Physical Side Effects of Desoxyn Use

Frustrated woman sits on her couch holding her head

An individual who abuses Desoxyn is prone to experiencing the more severe of the possible side effects of the medication, and these include:1,2,6

  • Psychotic or bipolar symptoms. Some people who abuse the drug may experience new symptoms triggered by Desoxyn use, like hallucinations, delusions, and mania.
  • Aggression. People abusing methamphetamine—the substance in Desoxyn—are more likely to engage in violent behavior—especially towards spouses, children, and others in the home.
  • Suppression of growth/extreme weight loss. People who use Desoxyn for extended periods of time are at risk of not growing or gaining weight as expected. People abusing this substance may lose excessive amounts of weight.
  • Cardiovascular dangers or issues. Long-term, heavy use will place greater stress on the heart and blood vessels, which could result in heart attacks or stroke.

Desoxyn Overdose Symptoms

Another dangerous outcome of Desoxyn abuse is overdose. An ever-increasing tolerance that requires the individual to take more and more Desoxyn to feel the effects is a huge risk factor. Symptoms of overdose may include:1

  • Restlessness.
  • Shakiness.
  • Quickened breathing.
  • Violence and aggression.
  • High anxiety and panic.
  • Confusion.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Cramping.
  • Convulsions.
  • Circulatory collapse.
  • Coma.
  • Death.

If a person survives the marked overstimulation of a Desoxyn overdose, they are likely to experience a period of intense fatigue and depression as their body recovers.1

Teen Desoxyn Abuse

Use of Desoxyn and other stimulant medications is not only an issue for adults; it is a concern for adolescents as well. Teens who abuse the drug may overuse their Desoxyn prescriptions or obtain Desoxyn from family members or friends. They may take a pill orally or crush the substance and snort it through the nose to intensify the high and quicken the effects.3

Though information specifically related to Desoxyn is limited, there are surveys that track the use of stimulants among high school students. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens:3

  • 7% of 8th graders report abusing amphetamine in their lifetimes.
  • 8% of 10th graders report lifetime amphetamine abuse.
  • 10% of 12 graders had abused amphetamine at some point in their lives, with 3% being current users.

Parents interested in preventing or ending Desoxyn abuse should:

  • Become aware of signs and symptoms of Desoxyn use and abuse.
  • Discuss the dangers with their children.
  • Monitor and track the amounts of Desoxyn available in the house.
  • Keep the drug safe and secure from those who would abuse it.

Remember, Desoxyn abuse can occur even if there is an active prescription for it.

Find Desoxyn Addiction Treatment Programs

If you or someone you know is being impacted negatively by Desoxyn use, addiction treatment can help. Rehab facilities are located throughout the U.S., and many offer specialized treatment that can cater to individual needs. They may offer detox, inpatient rehab, or outpatient rehab programs. You can use SAMHSA’s Behavioral Services Locator to search for treatment centers. Many state government websites will also provide local drug and alcohol resources to those in need. To find your state government’s website, do a web search for your state name and ‘.gov.’ Once your state website is located, substance use resources shouldn’t be hard to find, and they should provide further phone contacts for your assistance.

American Addiction Centers is a leading provider of addiction treatment programs and has trusted rehab facilities across the country. To begin the treatment process, consider calling us today. You can contact AAC free at .

Desoxyn Addiction Treatment Levels of Care

Recommended Desoxyn Rehab-Related Articles


Was this page helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

Read our full editorial policy

While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we'll use this information to improve our online help.

(0/100)