Sign up for our newsletter

Adderall

Adderall is a Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant that affects certain chemicals in the Brain.

It has a generic name amphetamine and dextroamphetamine and is found under the brand name of Adderall and Adderall XR.

The overall goal of this medication is to help control hyperactivity and impulse control. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

FDA category C

This medication is not recommended in children under the age of 3

Uses:

–  ADHD  (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
–  ADD
–  Narcolepsy

Risk for Abuse:

1.)  This medication may be habit-forming.

2.)  You should never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction.

3.)  Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Using this medication improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.

Don’t use this medication if:

–  You have taken a MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days.
–  You have glaucoma
–  You have severe anxiety, tension, or agitation.
–  You have a person or family history of severe muscle twitching or Tourette’s syndrome

Risk of medical complications if you have:

–  Hypertension  (High blood pressure)
–  Heart disease
–  Coronary Artery Disease
–  History of Heart Attack
–  Heart rhythm disorder

Potential Side Effects:

–  Nausea
–  Loss of appetite
–  Stomach pain
–  Dry mouth
–  Sleep problems  (Insomnia)
–  Headache
–  Dizziness
–  Change in heartbeat –  usually fast or pounding
–  Hypertalkative
–  Feelings of extreme happiness or sadness
–  Tremors
–  Unusual behaviors
–  Severe muscle twitches
–  Others

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Risks

–  FDA pregnancy category C.

–  It is not known or very clear if this medication will harm an unborn baby.

–  Adderall could cause premature birth, low birth weight, or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes the medicine during pregnancy.

–  It can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.

–  You should not breastfeed while you are using this medication.

Dosing

–  Depends on treatment options and should be determined by a professional.

–  This medication is not recommended in children under the age of 3.

–  Children from 3 – 5:  2.5 mg daily to start  (May be raised to weekly until optimal dosing levels)

–  Children older than 6:  5mg once or twice daily

–  Rare cases of more than 40mg per day

–  Narcolepsy is given at doses from 5mg – 60mg in divided dosing.

Overdose

–  Seek medical attention or call the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222.

–  An overdose of Adderall can be fatal.