What is Adderall?
Adderall can be used for treating the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the condition known as narcolepsy. Adderall includes a mix of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are central nervous system stimulants that alter the brain's chemicals and nerves, which can cause hyperactivity and control of impulses.
Adderall can also be used for other purposes not covered in this guide.
Warnings
Adderall can be a habit-forming drug and is a drug that can be abused. Talk to your doctor about whether you've had issues with alcohol or drug abuse.
Stimulants can cause heart attacks, strokes, and sudden deaths in patients with hypertension, coronary disease, or heart defects.
Do not take this medication if you've used an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, including linezolid, isocarboxazid, phenelzine rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine—an injection of methylene blue.
Adderall can trigger an increase or worsening of psychosis (unusual thoughts or behavior), particularly when you've had a history of mental illness, depression, and bipolar disorder.
You may be suffering from blood circulation issues that may result in pain, numbness, or discoloration of your toes and fingers.
Get your doctor's attention immediately If you experience indications of heart trouble - chest pains and feeling lightheaded or breathless; symptoms of psychosis like paranoia, aggression, and new behaviors as well as hearing or seeing signs that aren't true; indications of circulation issues - unidentified injuries on your toes or fingers.
There is a chance that you won't be able to take Adderall for glaucoma or thyroid overactivity and severe agitation. Extremely high blood pressure, arterial diseases such as coronary heart disease or vascular or a history of alcohol or drug dependence.
Before you Take this Drug
Do not take this medicine if you've had an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days. A risky drug interaction may happen. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid linezolid, methylene blue injection rasagiline, phenelzine as well as tranylcypromine, and others.
It is possible that you will not be able to use Adderall if you are allergic to stimulant medications. It is possible that you will not be able to take Adderall if you suffer from:
- Glaucoma;
- Thyroid hyperactive;
- Acute anxiety or agitation (stimulant medication can aggravate these symptoms);
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease
- Vascular disease or hardening of the arteries
- A history of addiction to drugs or alcohol dependence.
Certain medicines may be incompatible with dextroamphetamine or amphetamine, triggering a severe serotonin disorder. Discuss with your doctor the other medications you're taking. Check with your doctor that you also use opioid medication, herbal products, or medicines for mental illness, depression, or Parkinson's disease. You may also suffer from chronic infections or for the prevention of vomiting and nausea. Talk to your doctor before making any changes to the way or the frequency of your medication. The symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include hallucinations, agitation (hearing or seeing images that aren't real) or coma, rapid pulse, dizziness, sweating, sensation of heat, muscle rigidity or shakiness, seizures, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Stop taking Adderall promptly if you are experiencing these signs.
Stimulants can cause stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in some individuals. Tell your doctor If you suffer from any of the following:
- Heart problems or a congenital heart defect;
- High blood pressure or
- A blood clot or sudden loss of a loved one.
To be sure Adderall is safe for you, ask your doctor if any member of your family has ever had:
- Depression, mental illness, psychosis, bipolar disorder, aggression issues, or suicidal ideas or behaviors;
- Motor tics (muscle is twitching) or Tourette's syndrome
- Seizures or epilepsy;
- A brain wave test that is abnormal (EEG), an irregular brain wave test (EEG); or
- Kidney or liver disease or
- Blood circulation issues in the feet or hands.
If you are taking Adderall during pregnancy could result in premature birth or low birth weight, or withdrawal symptoms for the baby. Consult your physician if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant.
The ingredients found in Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) could be passed into breast milk and harm a nursing child. It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking this medication.
Adderall is not a prescription drug to be used by anyone less than three years old.
How to Take Adderall?
Use Adderall precisely as directed by your physician. Follow the directions on the prescription label. The doctor could alter the dosage. Don't take this medication in greater or lesser quantities or longer than prescribed.
Adderall could be a drug that can cause dependence. Do not share this medication with anyone else, especially someone with a history of substance dependence or abuse. Keep the medicine at a location where others can't access it. Giving away or selling this medication is against the law.
Take note of all patient information, including medication guides and instructions sheets you receive. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor for any additional concerns.
You can consume Adderall in combination with food or not, and take it the first time in the morning.
Don't crush, chew or break the extended-release capsule. Inhale it completely.
To ease swallowing To make swallowing more accessible, you can open the capsule and mix the medicine onto one spoonful of applesauce. Could you take it in right away without chewing? Don't save the mix to use later on.
When taking this medication, Your doctor must monitor your progress on regularly scheduled visits. Inform any doctor that treats your condition that you're using this medication.
Adderall may cause abnormal results when you undergo specific tests. Inform any physician who treats you that you're taking this drug.
Maintain at room temperature and far from heat, humidity, and light.
Be aware of the medicine you are taking. Adderall is a medication of abuse, and you should be aware of anyone using the mixture in a way that is not legal or without having a prescription.
Details on Dosage:
Usual Adult Dose of Adderall for Attention Deficit Disorder:
IR:
Initial Dose 5 mg taken orally once or twice a day
Maintenance Dose: The dose can be increased in 5 mg increments weekly until the optimal response is reached.
Maximum Dosage: In the most rare situations, going above 40 mg a day will be necessary.
XR:
Patients taking therapy for the first time or switching to a different medication:
Initial Dose 20mg taken orally every day, once
Comments:
-IR: The initial dose should be administered upon awakening. 1 to 2 doses should be administered at 4 to 6 hours.
If possible, the administration of drugs should be halted periodically to determine whether continued treatment is necessary.
Use as part of an overall treatment program for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD).
Usual Adult Dose of Adderall for Narcolepsy:
IR:
Initial Dose 10 mg daily in divided doses
Maintaining Dose: Daily dose can be increased in 10 mg increments over weekly intervals until a satisfactory response is achieved.
Comments:
The initial dose is to be administered at the time of awakening. One to two doses are administered in intervals of 4 to 6 hours.
The usual dosage ranges from 5 to 60 mg daily, in doses divided, based on the patient's response.
Dosage must be decreased when bothersome adverse reactions (e.g., anorexia, insomnia) occur.
Use: Treatment for narcolepsy
Usual Pediatric Dose of Adderall for Attention Deficit Disorder:
IR:
Age 3 to 5 Years:
Initial Dose 2.5 mg daily orally
Maintaining Dose: The daily doses can be increased by 2.5 mg increments every week at intervals until the optimal response is reached.
Age 6 to 17 Years:
Initial Dose 5 mg taken orally 1 or 2 times per day
Maintaining Dose: Daily doses can be increased by 5 mg increments over intervals over a week until optimum response is achieved.
Maximum Dosage: In scarce situations, going over 40 mg per day will be necessary.
XR:
Ages 6-12 Years (starting medication for the first time or switching to a different drug):
Initial Dose: 5 to 10 mg taken orally every day in the early morning
Maintenance Dose: The daily dose can be increased in increments of 5 to 10 mg at intervals of weekly time.
-Maximum Dose: 30 mg/day
Age 13-17 Years (starting therapy for the very first time or switching from a different medication):
Initial Dose 10 mg taken orally every day, once
Maintain Dose: Daily dose can be increased to 20 mg/day following one week if symptoms aren't sufficiently managed.
-Maximum Dose: 30 mg/day
Comments:
-IR: The initial dose should be administered on the first day of awakening. 1 to 2 additional doses are recommended at 4 to 6 hours.
If possible, the administration of drugs should be interrupted periodically to determine whether continued treatment is required.
Use in conjunction with an overall treatment program in treating Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD).
Usual Pediatric Dose of Adderall for Narcolepsy:
IR:
Age 6 to 11 Years:
Initial Dose 5 mg daily in divided doses
Maintaining Dose: Daily doses can be increased by increments of 5 mg each week at intervals until the optimal response is reached.
Age 12 Years and Older:
Initial Dose 10 mg every day in doses divided
Maintenance Dose: The doses can be increased by 10 mg weekly until the best response is achieved.
Comments:
The dosage should first be administered upon awakening. One or two doses are distributed between 4 and 6 hours.
The usual dosage is between 5 and 60 mg daily, in doses divided, based on the response of each patient.
Dosage must be decreased when bothersome adverse reactions (e.g., anorexia, insomnia) are observed.
The most common cause of narcolepsy is in children less than 12 years old.
Treatment for Narcolepsy: Use
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
Do the missed dose immediately after remembering it, though not too late in the daytime. Do not take the amount cut if you are close to the evening. Don't take any extra medication to make up for the missed dose.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Get medical attention immediately or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A high dose of Adderall may be fatal.
Overdose symptoms can include restlessness, tremors, muscle twitching, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, aggression, panic, weakening or pain, and the dark color of urine. These symptoms can be accompanied by tiredness and depression. Other overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, uneven heartbeats, lightheadedness, fainting, seizure (convulsions), or coma.
Avoid this
This medication can affect your ability to think or react. Be aware if you are driving or engaging in any activity that requires you to stay conscious.
Do not drink juices from the fruit as well as take vitamin C at the same time that you are taking Adderall. They can cause your body to take less of the medication.
Side Effects of Adderall:
See a doctor immediately If you are experiencing symptoms that indicate an allergy reaction to Adderall symptoms like hives, breathing difficulties, or swelling of your lips, face, or tongue.
Adderall could cause severe adverse effects. Consult your physician immediately If you suffer from the following:
- Indications of heart trouble symptoms of heart problems include chest pain, difficulty breathing, a feeling that you're going to pass out;
- Symptoms of psychosis, such as the appearance of hallucinations (seeing and hearing sounds that aren't real) or new behavior issues and hostility, aggression paranoia
- Indications of a problem with circulation symptoms of circulation problems - pain, numbness, unanswered wounds, cold sensation, or skin color changes (pale red, paler blue appearance) on your fingers and toes;
- A seizure (convulsions);
- Muscles are twitching (tics) (tics)
- Shifts to your perception.
Get medical attention now if you are experiencing signs of serotonin-related syndrome, for example, hallucinations, agitation, sweating, fever, and shivering. You may also experience a rapid heart rate, muscle stiffness, shaking, coordination loss, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Adderall can cause growth problems in children. Consult your physician if your child's growth is irregular when taking this medication.
Common adverse effects of Adderall can include:
- Stomach pain;
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss;
- Mood shifts;
- Being anxious;
- Rapid heart rate;
- Headache;
- Dizziness;
- Sleep problems (insomnia); or
- Dry mouth.
This isn't an exhaustive list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the impact. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with Other Drugs
Talk to your doctor before using an acid-based stomach medicine (including sodium bicarbonate or Alka-Seltzer). Specific medication may modify the way your body can absorb Adderall and could cause the effects.
Discuss with your physician all your medications currently in use and any new medications you begin or stop taking, particularly:
- Buspirone lithium, buspirone réuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications (including fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline, paroxetine, and others), tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, and others), or any other medicines for treating depression or mental illness.
- Blood pressure medicine;
- Heartburn medicine;
- A blood thinner, such as warfarin Coumadin, or Jantoven;
- Cold or allergy medication that contains a decongestant
- Opioid (narcotic) medicine; or
- Seizure medicine.
The list below is not exhaustive; various other medications can interfere with Adderall. This includes prescription and over-the-counter supplements, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Inventory all the medicines you take to any doctor who will treat you.
