Adderall is available as either an oral tablet under the brand name Adderall or an extended-release oral tablet under the brand name Adderall XR. In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking amphetamine/dextroamphetamine. Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine capsules should be swallowed whole. If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, it can be opened and sprinkled over a spoonful of applesauce. To learn more about Adderall’s dosage, see this article. If you have additional questions, talk with your doctor.
These drugs are primarily norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. Once you find the right medication and dose, most people find ADHD medication helps their symptoms. The symptoms involved with hyperactivity, attention span and impulsive behaviors improve. This is a particular problem if you have high blood pressure or an abnormal heart rhythm such as atrial fibrillation. If you don’t have any heart problems, Adderall is unlikely to give you one. Some Adderall side effects, such as dry mouth, don’t need medical treatment.
Causes & Risk Factors
They work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine in your brain. The risk was twice as high for patients on Adderall as it was for patients on Ritalin, another stimulant. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide.
What works for one person may not be effective for you or your child. And the first ADHD medication you or your child tries may not be the right one. It may not be effective, or it may cause bothersome side effects. Or you may have the correct medication but need a higher dose. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a very common neurodevelopment disorder. Children with the disorder may be overly active and have trouble with impulsive behaviors.
- Although Adderall can reduce your appetite, it’s not prescribed for weight loss.
- Late evening doses should be avoided because of the resulting insomnia.
- They’ll continue to track your progress and watch for side effects to make sure the drug remains effective.
- However, under the care and supervision of your provider, stimulant medication use is safe.
- Some research suggests that taking these drugs together can relieve symptoms of anxiety and ADHD.
Interactions with drugs or supplements
It is not known if ADDERALL is safe and effective in children with ADHD under 3 years of age. The anorectic and stimulatory effects of amphetamines may be inhibited by lithium carbonate. Usual dose 5 mg to 60 mg per day in divided doses, depending on the individual patient response. Our Adderall Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication. A doctor will not prescribe Adderall without first taking a detailed medical history to be sure that a person has the correct diagnosis.
- Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Adderall can cause.
- Only doctors and certain other healthcare providers can prescribe ADHD medications.
- Urinary excretion of amphetamines is increased, and efficacy is reduced, by acidifying agents used in methenamine therapy.
- For children who may not remember to take their medicines, XR might be a better option.
- Doctors may prescribe Adderall with antidepressants for people who have both ADHD and anxiety.
Adderall vs. Adderall XR Side Effects
Many people adderall uses, dosage, side effects with ADHD have insomnia, or trouble sleeping. Stimulant medicines such as Adderall can add to the problem. To get better sleep, limit caffeine and screen time (phone, TV, or video games) close to bedtime.
Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Mydayis, and others) – Uses, Side Effects, and More
If bothersome adverse reactions appear (e.g., insomnia or anorexia), dosage should be reduced. Give first dose on awakening; additional doses (1 or 2) at intervals of 4 to 6 hours. Adderall is a prescription medication that doctors commonly prescribe to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Adderall can also help treat narcolepsy, which is a sleep disorder.
Which drugs interact with Adderall?
The XR stands for “extended release.” Adderall XR lasts 12 hours, so you need to take it only once a day. Regular Adderall (also known as Adderall IR — short for “immediate release”) has to be taken every 4-6 hours, which could mean taking the pill two or three times a day. Exposure to the amount of amphetamine in Adderall can be higher for women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). This is because women and people AFAB tend to weigh less than men and those assigned male at birth (AMAB). When doses were not based on body mass, the amount of one amphetamine type in Adderall that a woman processed was 20%-30% more than a man processed.
Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines that you or your child take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. ADDERALL and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines will need to be changed during treatment with ADDERALL. The concomitant use of ADDERALL and CYP2D6 inhibitors may increase the exposure of ADDERALL compared to the use of the drug alone and increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Initiate with lower doses and monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome particularly during ADDERALL initiation and after a dosage increase.
When symptoms of ADHD occur during childhood, they frequently continue into adulthood. One study suggested ADHD symptoms carried into adulthood in 90% of cases. In addition, some adults with ADHD haven’t ever been diagnosed. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember — up to a point. The later you take this drug, the more likely it is to keep you awake at night. If you use an XR version, try not to take it after 2 p.m.
Do not share amphetamine/dextroamphetamine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific amphetamine/dextroamphetamine products they stock. While less common, the most serious side effects of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry, and safe place, such as a locked cabinet.
Research shows that these symptoms are partly the result of decreased dopamine activity in the brain. Dopamine is a brain chemical that plays an important role in movement, motivation, and attention. Stimulant drugs increase the activity of certain brain chemicals. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.
When the dose was adjusted for body mass, the amount of amphetamine processed for men and women was the same. For the other amphetamine in Adderall, there was no difference by sex. The effects of immediate-release drugs also tend to wear off much quicker than extended-release drugs. Generic drugs, however, are cheaper than brand-name drugs and might have different inactive ingredients, such as coloring. Administer amphetamines during waking hours and avoid late evening doses to avoid insomnia.
Discontinue treatment with ADDERALL and any concomitant serotonergic agents immediately if the above symptoms occur, and initiate supportive symptomatic treatment. The coadministration with cytochrome P450 (CYP2D6) inhibitors increase the risk with increased exposure to ADDERALL. In these situations, consider an alternative nonserotonergic drug or an alternative drug that does not inhibit CYP2D6 see DRUG INTERACTIONS. The concomitant use of ADDERALL and serotonergic drugs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
