Adderall

Generic name: Amphetamine And Dextroamphetamine
Drug class: CNS stimulants

Usage of Adderall

Adderall is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Adderall contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are central nervous system stimulants that affect chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.

Adderall may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Adderall side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Adderall: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Adderall may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • signs of heart problems - chest pain, trouble breathing, feeling like you might pass out;
  • signs of psychosis - hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), new behavior problems, aggression, hostility, paranoia;
  • signs of circulation problems - numbness, pain, cold feeling, unexplained wounds, or skin color changes (pale, red, or blue appearance) in your fingers or toes;
  • a seizure (convulsions);
  • muscle twitches (tics); or
  • changes in your vision.

    • Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

    Adderall can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.

    Common side effects of Adderall may include:

  • stomach pain;
  • loss of appetite;
  • weight loss;
  • mood changes;
  • feeling nervous;
  • fast heart rate;
  • headache;
  • dizziness;
  • sleep problems (insomnia); or
  • dry mouth.

    • This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Adderall

    Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

    You may not be able to use Adderall if you are allergic to any stimulant medicine. You may not be able to use Adderall if you have:

  • glaucoma;
  • overactive thyroid;
  • severe anxiety or agitation (stimulant medicine can make these symptoms worse);
  • high blood pressure;
  • heart disease or coronary artery disease;
  • vascular disease or hardening of the arteries; or
  • a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

    • Some medicines can interact with amphetamine and dextroamphetamine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Tell your doctor about any other medications you are using. Be sure your doctor knows if you also take opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications. Symptom of serotonin syndrome may include agitation, hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not real), coma, fast heart rate, dizziness, sweating, feeling hot, muscle rigidity or shakiness, seizures, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Stop Adderall immediately if you experience these symptoms.

    Stimulants have caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in certain people. Tell your doctor if you have:

  • heart problems or a congenital heart defect;
  • high blood pressure; or
  • a family history of heart disease or sudden death.

    • To make sure Adderall is safe for you, tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has ever had:

  • depression, anxiety, mental illness, bipolar disorder, psychosis, problems with aggression, or suicidal thoughts or actions;
  • motor tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome;
  • seizures or epilepsy;
  • an abnormal brain wave test (EEG); or
  • liver or kidney disease; or
  • blood circulation problems in the hands or feet.

    • Taking Adderall during pregnancy can cause premature birth, low birth weight, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

    The medications in Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using this medicine.

    Adderall is not approved for use by anyone younger than 3 years old.

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    How to use Adderall

    Usual Adult Dose of Adderall for Attention Deficit Disorder:

    IR: -Initial Dose: 5 mg orally 1 or 2 times a day -Maintenance Dose: Daily dose may be raised in 5 mg increments at weekly intervals until optimal response is obtained. -Maximum Dose: Only in rare cases will it be necessary to exceed 40 mg per day. XR: Patients starting treatment for the first time or switching from another medication: -Initial Dose: 20 mg orally once a day Comments: -IR: The first dose should be given upon awakening; 1 to 2 additional doses should be given at intervals of 4 to 6 hours. -Where possible, drug administration should be interrupted occasionally to determine if continued therapy is required. Use: As part of a total treatment program for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

    Usual Adult Dose of Adderall for Narcolepsy:

    IR: -Initial Dose: 10 mg orally per day in divided doses -Maintenance Dose: Daily dose may be raised in 10 mg increments at weekly intervals until optimal response is obtained. Comments: -The first dose should be given on awakening; 1 to 2 additional doses should be given at intervals of 4 to 6 hours. -The usual dose is 5 to 60 mg per day in divided doses, depending on the individual patient response. -Dosage should be reduced if bothersome adverse reactions (e.g., insomnia, anorexia) appear. Use: Narcolepsy treatment

    Usual Pediatric Dose of Adderall for Attention Deficit Disorder:

    IR: Age 3 to 5 Years: -Initial Dose: 2.5 mg orally per day -Maintenance Dose: Daily dose may be raised in 2.5 mg increments at weekly intervals until optimal response is obtained. Age 6 to 17 Years: -Initial Dose: 5 mg orally 1 or 2 times a day -Maintenance Dose: Daily dose may be raised in 5 mg increments at weekly intervals until optimal response is obtained. -Maximum Dose: Only in rare cases will it be necessary to exceed 40 mg per day. XR: Age 6 to 12 Years (starting treatment for the first time or switching from another medication): -Initial Dose: 5 or 10 mg orally once a day in the morning -Maintenance Dose: Daily dose may be raised in 5 to 10 mg increments at weekly intervals. -Maximum Dose: 30 mg/day Age 13 to 17 Years (starting treatment for the first time or switching from another medication): -Initial Dose: 10 mg orally once a day -Maintenance Dose: Daily dose may be increased to 20 mg/day after one week if symptoms are not adequately controlled. -Maximum Dose: 30 mg/day Comments: -IR: The first dose should be given on awakening; 1 to 2 additional doses should be given at intervals of 4 to 6 hours. -Where possible, drug administration should be interrupted occasionally to determine if continued therapy is required. Use: As part of a total treatment program for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

    Usual Pediatric Dose of Adderall for Narcolepsy:

    IR: Age 6 to 11 Years: -Initial Dose: 5 mg orally per day in divided doses -Maintenance Dose: Daily dose may be raised in 5 mg increments at weekly intervals until optimal response is obtained. Age 12 Years and Older: -Initial Dose: 10 mg orally per day in divided doses -Maintenance Dose: Daily dose may be raised in 10 mg increments at weekly intervals until optimal response is obtained. Comments: -The first dose should be given on awakening; 1 to 2 additional doses should be given at intervals of 4 to 6 hours. -The usual dose is 5 to 60 mg per day in divided doses, depending on the individual patient response. -Dosage should be reduced if bothersome adverse reactions (e.g., insomnia, anorexia) appear. -Narcolepsy rarely occurs in children under 12 years of age. Use: Narcolepsy treatment

    Warnings

    Adderall may be habit-forming, and this medicine is a drug of abuse. Tell your doctor if you have had problems with drug or alcohol abuse.

    Stimulants have caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or a heart defect.

    Do not use this medicine if you have used a MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine or have received a methylene blue injection.

    Adderall may cause new or worsening psychosis (unusual thoughts or behavior), especially if you have a history of depression, mental illness, or bipolar disorder.

    You may have blood circulation problems that can cause numbness, pain, or discoloration in your fingers or toes.

    Call your doctor right away if you have: signs of heart problems - chest pain, feeling light-headed or short of breath; signs of psychosis - paranoia, aggression, new behavior problems, seeing or hearing things that are not real; signs of circulation problems - unexplained wounds on your fingers or toes.

    You may not be able to use Adderall if you have glaucoma, overactive thyroid, severe agitation, moderate to severe high blood pressure, heart disease or coronary artery disease, vascular disease, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

    What other drugs will affect Adderall

    Ask your doctor before using a stomach acid medicine (including Alka-Seltzer or sodium bicarbonate). Some of these medicines can change the way your body absorbs Adderall, and may increase side effects.

    Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

  • buspirone, lithium, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs (including citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, others), tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, others) or other medicine to treat depression or mental illness;
  • blood pressure medicine;
  • heartburn medicine;
  • a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;
  • cold or allergy medicine that contains a decongestant;
  • opioid (narcotic) medicine; or
  • seizure medicine.

    • This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with Adderall. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.

    Popular FAQ

    It would take just over 2 days for a dose to be out of your system. You should allow for longer (7 days) if you have taken Adderall frequently and at high doses. Continue reading

    The main difference between Adderall and Vyvanse is that Adderall is a mixture of four different kinds of amphetamine salts (one of which is dextroamphetamine) while Vyvanse only contains one type of amphetamine salt, called lisdexamfetamine. Lisdexamfetamine gets converted into dexamphetamine once it is in the body. One advantage of Vyvanse is that it may be less likely to be abused; although it is slightly more expensive than Adderall, although both have generic forms available. Because both drugs contain amphetamines, they work in a similar way. Studies have shown that Vyvanse is just as effective as Adderall, and side effects, including the risk of dependence, are similar. Continue reading

    When taken as prescribed, the effects of Adderall last for about 4 to 6 hours. The effects of Adderall XR last for up to 12 hours because this brand of Adderall is designed for slow and sustained release. Continue reading

    Focalin contains dexmethylphenidate whereas Adderall contains a mixture of amphetamine salts (MAS). Both have a high potential for abuse and dependence, although the risk may be perceived as higher with Adderall because it is more popular; however, this does not mean Focalin is less likely to cause tolerance or dependence. Continue reading

    Although Adderall is only FDA-approved for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, it has been used rarely and off-label to treat depression that has not responded to other treatments. However, this is controversial and there is a lack of good quality evidence to support its use. There is no evidence that Adderall helps with anxiety and in many people with pre-existing mood disorders, Adderall can make depression and/or anxiety worse. Continue reading

    Qelbree (viloxazine ER) and Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) are oral medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. Differences are that Qelbree is a long-acting, once daily nonstimulant medicine and is less likely to cause trouble with sleeping or lead to abuse. Adderall is a short-acting stimulant medication given 1 to 3 times a day, is a C-II controlled substance, and can be abused. Continue reading

    Azstarys (serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant for the treatment of ADHD in patients 6 years of age and older. It is usually taken once per day. Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) is also a CNS stimulant for the treatment of ADHD, but is used in patients 3 years of age and older and is usually given 2 or 3 times per day. Continue reading

    Mydayis contains similar active ingredients as Adderall XR but is formulated to last up to 16 hours for the treatment of ADHD. Adderall XR lasts up to 12 hours, and is given once daily. Adderall XR capsules can be used in patients 6 years of age and older, while Mydayis capsules are used in patients 13 years and older. Adderall XR is now available in a generic option. Continue reading

    It would take just over 2 days for a dose to be out of your system. You should allow for longer (7 days) if you have taken Adderall frequently and at high doses. Continue reading

    The main difference between Adderall and Vyvanse is that Adderall is a mixture of four different kinds of amphetamine salts (one of which is dextroamphetamine) while Vyvanse only contains one type of amphetamine salt, called lisdexamfetamine. Lisdexamfetamine gets converted into dexamphetamine once it is in the body. One advantage of Vyvanse is that it may be less likely to be abused; although it is slightly more expensive than Adderall, although both have generic forms available. Because both drugs contain amphetamines, they work in a similar way. Studies have shown that Vyvanse is just as effective as Adderall, and side effects, including the risk of dependence, are similar. Continue reading

    When taken as prescribed, the effects of Adderall last for about 4 to 6 hours. The effects of Adderall XR last for up to 12 hours because this brand of Adderall is designed for slow and sustained release. Continue reading

    Focalin contains dexmethylphenidate whereas Adderall contains a mixture of amphetamine salts (MAS). Both have a high potential for abuse and dependence, although the risk may be perceived as higher with Adderall because it is more popular; however, this does not mean Focalin is less likely to cause tolerance or dependence. Continue reading

    Although Adderall is only FDA-approved for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, it has been used rarely and off-label to treat depression that has not responded to other treatments. However, this is controversial and there is a lack of good quality evidence to support its use. There is no evidence that Adderall helps with anxiety and in many people with pre-existing mood disorders, Adderall can make depression and/or anxiety worse. Continue reading

    Azstarys (serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant for the treatment of ADHD in patients 6 years of age and older. It is usually taken once per day. Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) is also a CNS stimulant for the treatment of ADHD, but is used in patients 3 years of age and older and is usually given 2 or 3 times per day. Continue reading

    Qelbree (viloxazine ER) and Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) are oral medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. Differences are that Qelbree is a long-acting, once daily nonstimulant medicine and is less likely to cause trouble with sleeping or lead to abuse. Adderall is a short-acting stimulant medication given 1 to 3 times a day, is a C-II controlled substance, and can be abused. Continue reading

    Yes, Adderall is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). It is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, but it has a high potential for abuse or drug dependence. Continue reading

    Mydayis contains similar active ingredients as Adderall XR but is formulated to last up to 16 hours for the treatment of ADHD. Adderall XR lasts up to 12 hours, and is given once daily. Adderall XR capsules can be used in patients 6 years of age and older, while Mydayis capsules are used in patients 13 years and older. Adderall XR is now available in a generic option. Continue reading

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