Author: John Carter
Adderall: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Safety Info
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. This medicine may cause Raynaud’s phenomenon, which is a problem with blood circulation in the fingers or toes.
- Other stimulant drugs used for these conditions include methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Daytrana, others) and dexamphetamine (Dexedrine).
- Adderall should be stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed and light-resistant container.
- According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an estimated 5.1 million people over the age of 12 misused stimulants in 2018.
- If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.
A common off-label use of Adderall includes using it to treat depression. As a result, Adderall can help you feel more awake and motivated when taken as prescribed. In children from 3 to 5 years of age, start with 2.5 mg daily; daily dosage may be raised in increments of 2.5 mg at weekly intervals until optimal response is obtained. Late evening doses should be avoided because of the resulting insomnia. Amphetamines contained in Adderall are extensively misused.
Generic Adderall
For depression, doctors may prescribe Adderall along with antidepressants if other treatments haven’t worked. Research suggests that for some people, stimulants such as Adderall may help improve mood and energy levels. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Adderall. Like most drugs, Adderall may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Adderall may cause.
See the “Adderall withdrawal” section above for details. Misuse of Adderall is a growing epidemic, especially on college campuses. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an estimated 5.1 million people over the age of 12 misused stimulants in 2018.
Adderall and your eyes
In addition to other effects, drinking too much may worsen symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which Adderall is used to treat. While these uses aren’t approved by the FDA, doctors may prescribe Adderall to treat other conditions besides ADHD and narcolepsy. This means a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is prescribed by a doctor to treat another condition that’s not approved. If you’re taking Adderall without an ADHD or narcolepsy diagnosis, this could be an off-label use.
Taking vitamin C supplements can make your stomach more acidic and can decrease the amount of Adderall your body absorbs. Do not take Adderall within one hour of taking vitamin C. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as some foods. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you’re interested in quitting Adderall. Below is information on the timing of taking doses of either Adderall or Adderall XR.
Adderall and methylphenidate are both commonly used to treat ADHD. They’re both stimulant medications and work in a similar way. Adderall and modafinil, a generic drug, are both stimulant medications, but they affect the brain in slightly different ways. Adderall and Ritalin (methylphenidate) are both commonly used to treat ADHD. However, there are some differences that might make you prefer one over the other.
Dr. Shariq specializes in treatment of children and adolescents and has broad clinical experience across a wide spectrum of ages. Dr. Shariq is a Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.Dr. Adderall is available in tablet form, while Adderall XR is available in capsule form. Strengths range from 5 milligrams to 30 milligrams per tablet/capsule. Your dosage will vary based on how your body reacts to the medication.
If your doctor has prescribed Adderall and you’re interested in the generic version instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check your insurance plan, as it may only cover one or the other. If you stop taking it, the symptoms of your condition may return. Adderall XR capsules are approved for treating ADHD in children ages 6 years and older.
This may be more likely in patients who have a family history of heart disease. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or a fast, irregular heartbeat while using this medicine. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
Taking Adderall with MAOIs can increase the risk of dangerous side effects, such as very high blood pressure, chest pain, severe headache, and increased body temperature. Adderall should not be taken within 14 days of using an MAOI. Both drugs cause the body to release increased norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain.
Some people who take Adderall may experience feelings of being energetic, focused, excited, or self-confident. These effects are more likely when the medication is misused. For more information, see the “Adderall misuse (also called abuse)” section below. Both forms of Adderall are available as generic medications. Medicines that interact with Adderall may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with Adderall.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Adderall is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription. Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
But in some cases, they may not be available in the same strengths or forms as the brand-name drug. Modafinil is approved to treat narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder, and sleep apnea. This means that it’s not FDA-approved for this purpose, but there is some scientific evidence that it might help. Adderall and Ritalin are both available in generic forms. In some cases, the brand-name drug and the generic version may be available in different forms and strengths.
Tell your doctor if you have tingling or pain, a cold feeling, paleness, or skin color changes in the fingers or toes, especially when exposed to cold temperatures. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained sores or ulcers on your fingers or toes. If your child is using this medicine, the doctor will need to keep track of your child’s height and weight.