Two medicines, side by side

Amphetamine vs dextroamphetamine

Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are both labeled for ADHD. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amphetamine since 2016 and of dextroamphetamine since 1976. Pharmacies paid $0.449 per amphetamine sulfate 10 mg tablet and $0.373 per dextroamphetamine 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026). Amphetamine's other strengths are brand-only: $2.76 per mL (Dyanavel XR 2.5 mg/mL suspension).

Check it at the source: the amphetamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 20, 2026); the dextroamphetamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 26, 2025).

Highlights of the amphetamine record

Amphetamine (Dyanavel) · label of August 20, 2026

Boxed warning

WARNING: ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION AMPHETAMINE SULFATE TABLET HAS A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE AND MISUSE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, INCLUDING ADDICTION. MISUSE AND ABUSE OF CNS STIMULANTS, INCLUDING AMPHETAMINE SULFATE, CAN RESULT IN OVERDOSE AND DEATH (SEE OVERDOSAGE)], AND THIS RISK IS INCREASED WITH HIGHER DOSES OR UNAPPROVED METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION, SUCH AS SNORTING OR INJECTION.

Used for

From the label: indications
Amphetamine Sulfate Tablets USP are indicated for: Narcolepsy Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity as an integral part of a total treatment program which typically includes other remedial measures (psychological, educational, social) for a stabilizing effect in children with behavioral syndrome characterized by the following group of developmentally inappropriate symptoms: moderate to severe distractibility, short attention span, hyperactivity, emotional lability, and impulsivity. […]

On the market

Earliest approval on file: January 27, 2016
Generic labelers: 13 labelers
Pharmacy cost: $0.449 per tablet

Supply and safety

Shortage: No current entry
Recalls: 0

Highlights of the dextroamphetamine record

Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) · label of November 26, 2025

Boxed warning

ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION Dextroamphetamine sulfate has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including dextroamphetamine sulfate, can result in overdose and death (see OVERDOSAGE ), and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection.

Used for

From the label: indications
Zenzedi ® (Dextroamphetamine Sulfate Tablets, USP) is indicated for: Narcolepsy. […]

On the market

Earliest approval on file: August 2, 1976
Generic labelers: 14 labelers
Pharmacy cost: $0.373 per tablet

Supply and safety

Shortage: No current entry
Recalls: 24

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amphetamine label of August 20, 2026, Dextroamphetamine label of November 26, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)

How do amphetamine and dextroamphetamine differ on the record?

Both are in FDA's class central nervous system stimulants.

Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.

Generics: amphetamine since 1976; dextroamphetamine since 1975 (Drugs@FDA).

	Amphetamine	Dextroamphetamine
Labeled for	ADHD	ADHD
Pharmacologic class	Central Nervous System Stimulant	Central Nervous System Stimulant
How it works (label)	n/a	n/a
Half-life (label)	n/a	n/a
Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA)	January 27, 2016	August 2, 1976
First generic approved	February 26, 1976	May 29, 1975
Generic labelers (NDC)	13 labelers	14 labelers
Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ)	$0.449 per tablet (Amphetamine sulfate 10 mg tablet)	$0.373 per tablet (Dextroamphetamine 10 mg tablet)
12-month price change	+14%	-33%
Boxed warning	Yes	Yes
Shortage now	No current entry	No current entry
Recalls recorded	0	24
FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used)	8,452	7,605
DEA schedule	CII	CII

Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)

Do their labels mention each other?

Dextroamphetamine label, contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS Known hypersensitivity to amphetamine products.

Dextroamphetamine label, drug interactions
Urinary acidifying agents (ammonium chloride, sodium acid phosphate, etc.) increase the concentration of the ionized species of the amphetamine molecule, thereby increasing urinary excretion.

What both labels say about taking them together

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA

What do the labels say about using others of their kind?

Amphetamine label, warnings
If concomitant use of Amphetamine Sulfate Tablets with other serotonergic drugs or CYP2D6 inhibitors is clinically warranted, initiate Amphetamine Sulfate Tablets with lower doses, monitor patients for the emergence of serotonin syndrome during drug initiation or titration, and inform patients of the increased risk for serotonin syndrome.

Dextroamphetamine label, warnings
If concomitant use of dextroamphetamine sulfate tablets with other serotonergic drugs or CYP2D6 inhibitors is clinically warranted, initiate dextroamphetamine sulfate tablets with lower doses, monitor patients for the emergence of serotonin syndrome during drug initiation or titration, and inform patients of the increased risk for serotonin syndrome.

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA

What next?

Amphetamine: the full record
Dextroamphetamine: the full record
Alternatives to amphetamine: every medicine labeled for the same conditions