Azstarys Side Effects

Generic name: dexmethylphenidate / serdexmethylphenidate

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Aug 23, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Azstarys Side Effects associated with dexmethylphenidate / serdexmethylphenidate. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Azstarys.

Applies to dexmethylphenidate / serdexmethylphenidate: oral capsule.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (capsule)

Warning: Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction. Dexmethylphenidate / serdexmethylphenidate have 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 dexmethylphenidate/serdexmethylphenidate, can result in overdose and death, and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection.

Before prescribing dexmethylphenidate / serdexmethylphenidate, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction.

Educate patients and their families about these risks, proper storage of the drug, and proper disposal of any unused drug.

Throughout amphetamine treatment, reassess each patient’s risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction and frequently monitor for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction.

Serious side effects of Azstarys

Along with its needed effects, dexmethylphenidate / serdexmethylphenidate may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dexmethylphenidate / serdexmethylphenidate:

More common side effects

• actions that are out of control
• anxiety
• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• confusion
• difficulty in speaking
• dizziness
• double vision
• enlarged pupils
• false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts
• fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• headache
• inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
• inability to speak
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
• increased sweating, possibly with fever or cold, clammy skin
• irritability
• lack or slowing of normal growth in children
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• nausea
• nervousness
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pounding in the ears
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• stiff or sore neck
• talking, feeling, and acting with excitement
• trouble breathing
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting
• weight loss

Incidence not known

• agitation
• arm, jaw, or back pain
• bleeding gums
• blood in the urine or stools
• bloody nose
• bloody, black, or tarry stools
• chest tightness or heaviness
• chills
• cough
• dark-colored urine
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• diarrhea
• difficulty in moving
• difficulty swallowing
• double vision
• dry mouth
• extra heartbeats
• fainting
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• fever
• hair loss, thinning of hair
• heavier menstrual periods
• hives, itching, skin rash
• inability to have or keep an erection
• increased in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• increased interest in sexual intercourse
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs
• light-colored stools
• lightheadedness
• muscle aches, cramps, pain, stiffness, or twitching
• overactive reflexes
• pain in the joints
• painful or prolonged erection of the penis
• pale skin
• paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• poor coordination
• redness of the skin
• restlessness
• seeing double
• seizures
• sensation of spinning
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, feet
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swollen glands
• swollen joints
• tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• twitching, twisting, uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking dexmethylphenidate / serdexmethylphenidate:

Symptoms of overdose

• agitation
• blurred vision
• change in consciousness
• chest pain or discomfort
• confusion
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• extremely high fever or body temperature
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• fever
• headache
• inability to speak
• loss of consciousness
• muscle cramps, spasms, pain, or stiffness
• nausea
• nervousness
• overactive reflexes
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pale, clammy skin
• palpitations
• pounding in the ears
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• seizures
• shivering
• slurred speech
• sweating
• talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
• temporary blindness
• thirst
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• trouble breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe

Other side effects of Azstarys

Some side effects of dexmethylphenidate / serdexmethylphenidate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• belching
• decreased appetite
• heartburn
• indigestion
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

For healthcare professionals

Applies to dexmethylphenidate / serdexmethylphenidate: oral capsule.

General adverse events

The more commonly reported adverse reactions with methylphenidate products have included decreased appetite, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, weight loss, anxiety, dizziness, irritability, affect lability, tachycardia, and increased blood pressure.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Methylphenidate products:

• Frequency not reported: Increased blood pressure, tachycardia
• Postmarketing reports: Angina pectoris, bradycardia, extrasystole, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular extrasystole, palpitations, increased heart rate, chest pain, chest discomfort, Raynaud's phenomenon

Increased blood pressure, and tachycardia have been reported in 5% or greater of patients receiving a methylphenidate product for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and at least twice the rate of placebo.

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, rash, pruritus

Methylphenidate products:

• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions such as angioedema, anaphylactic reactions, auricular swelling, bullous conditions, exfoliative conditions, urticaria, pruritus, rashes, eruptions, exanthemas

Psychiatric

Methylphenidate products:

• Postmarketing reports: Disorientation, libido changes, hallucination, hallucination auditory, hallucination visual, logorrhea, mania, restlessness, agitation

Methylphenidate Products:

• Frequency not reported: Insomnia, anxiety, affect lability, irritability

Insomnia, anxiety, affect lability, and irritability have been reported in 5% or greater of patients receiving a methylphenidate product for ADHD and at least twice the rate of placebo.

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Lower than expected increases in height and weight

Methylphenidate products:

• Postmarketing reports: Arthralgia, myalgia, muscle twitching, rhabdomyolysis, muscle cramps

In an open label safety study with this drug, growth in pediatric patients 6 to 12 years of age was assessed and compared to age and sex matched population standards. The mean increase in weight from baseline to Month 12 was 3.4 kg among study completers. The mean change in z-score from baseline to Month 12 was -0.2, indicating a lower-than-expected increase in body weight. Most of the weight z-score decline occurred in the first 4 months of treatment. The mean increase in height from baseline to Month 12 was 4.9 cm among completers. Using the same z-score analysis for height, the mean change in z-score from baseline to Month 12 was - 0.21, indicating a lower-than-expected increase in height compared to pediatric patients of the same age and sex.

Metabolic

Methylphenidate Products:

• Frequency not reported: Decreased appetite, weight loss

Decreased appetite and weight loss have been reported in 5% or greater of patients receiving a methylphenidate product for ADHD and at least twice the rate of placebo.

Gastrointestinal

Methylphenidate Products:

• Frequency not reported: Nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, vomiting
• Postmarketing reports: Dry mouth

Nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, and vomiting have been reported in 5% or greater of patients receiving a methylphenidate product for ADHD and at least twice the rate of placebo.

Genitourinary

Methylphenidate products:

• Postmarketing reports: Priapism

Nervous system

Methylphenidate Products:

• Frequency not reported: Dizziness
• Postmarketing reports: Convulsion, grand mal convulsion, dyskinesia, serotonin syndrome in combination with serotonergic drugs, nervousness, headache, tremor, drowsiness, vertigo

Dizziness was reported in 5% or greater of patients receiving a methylphenidate product for ADHD and at least twice the rate of placebo.

Hematologic

Methylphenidate Products:

• Postmarketing reports: Pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, platelet count decreased, white blood cell counts abnormal

Ocular

• Postmarketing reports: Diplopia, mydriasis, visual impairment, blurred vision

Methylphenidate products

Hepatic

Methylphenidate products:

• Postmarketing reports: Hepatocellular injury, acute hepatic failure, alkaline phosphatase increased, bilirubin increased, hepatic enzyme increased

Other

• Postmarketing reports: Hyperpyrexia

Methylphenidate products

Dermatologic

Methylphenidate products:

• Postmarketing reports: Alopecia, erythema, hyperhidrosis

Frequently asked questions

• Azstarys vs Adderall, what is the difference?

Further information

Azstarys side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer