What to Do If a Dog Ingests Dexedrine

It's a terrible realization when you walk into a room and see your prescription medication bottle on the floor and your dog licking his or her lips. Many human medications will not harm a dog in small doses. However, because a dog's body weight is typically much less than that of a human, a normal human dose of any medication may be an overdose for a dog. If your dog has eaten dexedrine, get immediate veterinary attention.

  1. About Dexedrine

    • Dexedrine is a brand name for dextroamphetamine, a psychostimulant drug which is prescribed for human use for conditions including AD(H)D. Other brand names for dextroamphetamine include Dextrostat or Dexamphetamine Sulphate. Although the drug is a stimulant, it can be used to reduce ADHD symptoms, including difficulty with focus or control. Dexedrine is sometimes used as a treatment for narcolepsy. For human use, Dexedrine is commonly prescribed as either a liquid, a tablet or a capsule with extended release.

    Call Your Vet

    • If you discover your dog has eaten Dexedrine, call your veterinarian immediately. Have the Dexedrine information on hand, including dosage information from the prescription label. If you can, estimate the number of capsules or tablets your dog ate, by subtracting the number of tablets remaining in the bottle from the number of tablets you had before the dog ate any. If you know your dog's current body weight, tell the vet. She can then calculate the likely effect of the dexedrine dose on your particular dog. Take the professional advice of a veterinarian before attempting any home remedy.

    Home Care Options

    • If your veterinarian tells you to bring your dog to the clinic, do not delay in getting your pet qualified care. If it is not possible for you to get to the veterinary clinic promptly, you might try to induce vomiting so your dog brings up the Dexedrine. Especially if your dog has recently eaten the slow-release Dexedrine capsules, you may be able to induce vomiting before the Dexedrine is released into the dog's system. For a small dog, you can induce vomiting by giving him a capful -- about 1 tsp. -- of hydrogen peroxide. For a larger dog, you can administer two capfuls or 2 tsp. The easiest way to get hydrogen peroxide into your dog is to squirt the solution into his mouth using a syringe.

    Effects of Dexedrine

    • The most dangerous effect of Dexedrine for dogs is the way it can alter the dog's heart rate. A dog which has taken a high dose of Dexedrine may become agitated and hyperventilate. Seizures, coma and even death are possible side effects of very high doses. Typically, a dog can tolerate between 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg Dexedrine per pound of body weight. Therefore a 130-pound dog could likely tolerate a 30 mg Dexedrine dose, or three 10-mg tablets. Whether or not your dog has eaten a tolerable amount of Dexedrine for his body weight, it's a good idea to take the dog for a veterinary check-up and monitor any physical symptoms carefully.