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Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®)

Last Update: 08 May 2025

Welcome to our fact sheet on dextroamphetamine during pregnancy and breastfeeding/chestfeeding. This information is based on available published literature. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider.

The HEALTHY PREGNANCY HUB team is collaborating with MotherToBaby to share information on this topic. The original version is available here (November 2024).

Serene, our chatbot, can also answer your questions about medications during pregnancy.

Please note that this fact sheet is based on United States information and has been adapted for Canada, with a review by our Canadian experts. Minor differences may exist between the two countries. Always consult your healthcare professional for information tailored to your situation.

1. What is dextroamphetamine?

Dextroamphetamine or d-amphetamine is a prescription medication that has been used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (extreme daytime sleepiness). It has also been prescribed to treat some mental health conditions. Some brand names are Dexedrine®, Dexedrine Spansules®, Dextrostat®, Liquadd®, ProCentra®, and Zenzedi®. 

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse®) is medication that has been used to treat ADHD and binge eating disorder. In the body, lisdexamfetamine breaks down into dextroamphetamine. Information about dextroamphetamine in pregnancy can be used to help understand possible effects of lisdexamfetamine. 

Dextroamphetamine can be combined with amphetamine to make Adderall®. For more information on Adderall®, please see our fact sheet on this topic here. https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/dextroamphetamine-amphetamine-adderall/. 

Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take your medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy. 

2. What does research say about the risks during pregnancy?

I take dextroamphetamine. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

It is not known if dextroamphetamine can make it harder to get pregnant. 

Does taking dextroamphetamine increase the chance of miscarriage? 

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done to see if dextroamphetamine can increase the chance of miscarriage. 

Does taking dextroamphetamine increase the chance of birth defects?

Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. We look at research studies to try to understand if an exposure, like dextroamphetamine, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. Using dextroamphetamine as prescribed for medical reasons does not appear to increase the chance of birth defects. 

Does taking dextroamphetamine in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?

One older study reported lower infant birth weight among people who used prescribed dextroamphetamine in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy to control weight gain. Other studies looking at the use of dextroamphetamine with amphetamine to treat ADHD have not found an effect on birth weight. 

Research shows that misuse of amphetamines (using more than prescribed or use without a prescription) might increase the chance for poor growth (babies born small and/or with small head size), low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth), and preterm delivery (birth before week 37). Pregnancies in these studies might have had other risk factors for these outcomes, such as exposure to alcohol and cigarettes, or not having prenatal care. 

I need to take dextroamphetamine throughout my entire pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth? 

Misuse of other amphetamines (such as methamphetamine) during pregnancy can cause temporary symptoms in newborns soon after birth. These symptoms are sometimes referred to as withdrawal. They can include jitteriness, sleepiness, and trouble breathing at the time of birth. These symptoms have not been reported in the newborns of people who are taking dextroamphetamine as prescribed by their healthcare providers. 

Does taking dextroamphetamine in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child? 

Few studies have been done to see if dextroamphetamine can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child. A recent large study showed no increased risks on long-term outcomes. 

3. Breastfeeding​/ chestfeeding​ while taking dextroamphetamine

When dextroamphetamine is taken as directed, it passes into breast milk/ human milk in small amounts. Children can be monitored for any symptoms related to dextroamphetamine exposure through breast milk / human milk. A small study of 4 infants who were breastfed by individuals who were taking dextroamphetamine for ADHD found no problems in the health and growth of those infants up to 6 to 10 months of age. If you suspect the baby has any symptoms (such as decreased appetite, sleeplessness, or irritability), contact the child’s healthcare provider. 

The product labels for some dextroamphetamine products recommend people who are breastfeeding/chestfeeding not use these medications. But the benefits of using dextroamphetamine and the benefits of breastfeeding/chestfeeding your child may outweigh the possible risks. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about using dextroamphetamine and what treatment is best for you. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding/chestfeeding questions. 

4. What about fathers and sperm donors?

If a male takes dextroamphetamine, could it affect fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?

Studies have not been done to see if dextroamphetamine could affect a male’s fertility (ability to get a person pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk.  In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures here.

Key points

  • Dextroamphetamine is a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mental health conditions, and narcolepsy (extreme daytime sleepiness). It is also found in other medications such as Adderall® and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse®).
  • It is important not to stop or change your treatment without first speaking to your healthcare provider. 
  • When used as prescribed, dextroamphetamine is not expected to increase the risk of birth defects or other pregnancy-related complications. But few studies have been done. 
  • Misuse (taking too much or without a prescription) may increase the risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, or poor growth. 
  • Dextroamphetamine passes into breast milk in small amounts. A small study found no health concerns in nursing babies, but monitoring is recommended. 
  • Always talk to your healthcare provider to discuss the benefits and risks of this treatment during pregnancy or while breastfeeding or chestfeeding.

References

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Disclaimer

HEALTHY PREGNANCY HUB provides a source of information validated by health professionals; however, this information is provided for informational purposes only and should not replace professional advice. Medical standards and practices evolve as new data becomes available, so it is imperative to consult your doctor or a qualified health professional for any questions or concerns regarding your health without delay or omission. It is the responsibility of your treating physician or any other health professional, based on their independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine the best way to evaluate and treat you.

HEALTHY PREGNANCY HUB does not specifically recommend or endorse any test, practitioner, treatment, product, or opinion mentioned on our platform. HEALTHY PREGNANCY HUB also does not replace the individual patient assessment based on the examination by the healthcare provider of each patient and the consideration of laboratory data and other patient-specific factors.

The use of the information available on our site is at your own risk. No person involved in the creation, production, promotion, or marketing of HEALTHY PREGNANCY HUB guarantees or represents, expressly or implicitly, anything regarding the information available on the platform, which is provided “as it is”. All warranties are expressly excluded and disclaimed, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, as well as any warranties arising by law or otherwise in law or from trade or usage. Any statements or representations made by any other person or entity are void.

While consulting symptoms or other medical information on our platform may guide your discussions with your healthcare professional, this information should not be used to make a medical diagnosis or determine treatment. Before making changes to your supplement or medication regimen, please discuss with your medical team or contact 811 (Canada) to ensure the relevance of these changes to your individual situation.

Credits
MotherToBaby
Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS)
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Catriona Hippman
University of British Columbia
Hilary Rowe
Fraser Health
Evelyne Rey
CHU Sainte-Justine
Justine Pleau
University of Montreal
Émy Roberge
Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine

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