adderall FAQ

Adderall is a stimulant drug prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Other stimulant drugs used for these conditions include methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Daytrana, others) and dexamphetamine (Dexedrine). Another stimulant used specifically for narcolepsy is modafinil (Provigil). Adderall and other stimulants have some similarities and some differences. For example, all stimulants can cause similar side effects. But you have a higher risk of side effects with stimulants that contain amphetamine (such as Adderall) than with methylphenidate and modafinil. In particular, stimulants with amphetamine carry higher risks of misuse and dependence. (Misuse means taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it, and with dependence, your body needs a drug to feel like it usually does.) On the other hand, In general, doctors usually prescribe methylphenidate for ADHD in children and amphetamine-based stimulants for ADHD in adults. If stimulants cause troublesome side effects or don’t work well enough, doctors may prescribe a nonstimulant drug for ADHD. Examples of nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine (Strattera) and guanfacine (Intuniv). To learn more about how Adderall compares with other treatments for ADHD and narcolepsy, talk with your doctor. They can help determine which treatment option is best for you.

Adderall isn’t approved for weight loss, depression, or anxiety. But in some cases, doctors may prescribe it off-label for depression or anxiety that hasn’t got better with other treatments. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.) For depression, doctors may prescribe Adderall along with antidepressants if other treatments haven’t worked. Doctors may prescribe Adderall with antidepressants for people who have both ADHD and anxiety. Some research suggests that taking these drugs together can relieve symptoms of anxiety and ADHD. It’s important to note that taking Adderall with antidepressants can increase the risk of certain side effects. To learn more about taking Adderall with antidepressants for depression or anxiety, talk with your doctor. Although Adderall can reduce your appetite, it’s not prescribed for weight loss. You should not take it for this use. To learn more about treatments for weight loss, talk with your doctor.

Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may cover both brand-name and generic Adderall. Adderall has a boxed warning for the risks of misuse and dependence. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Adderall works by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine, in your brain. (Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help nerve cells communicate.) By increasing levels of these neurotransmitters, Adderall helps stimulate nerve activity in parts of the brain that are underactive. In people with ADHD, Adderall helps improve attention and focus. In those with narcolepsy, it can make them more awake and alert. Adderall starts working within 1 to 2 hours after you take a dose.

Neither form of Adderall should cause long-term side effects. If you have side effects with these drugs, they usually get better as your body gets used to the medication. Or they’ll likely get better quickly after stopping treatment. In general, taking Adderall for long periods of time doesn’t raise your risk of side effects. But it’s important to note that Adderall may cause slowed growth in children. If your child is taking Adderall, their doctor will monitor their height and weight during their treatment. If the child’s growth seems to be affected, their doctor may suggest taking a break from Adderall treatment. If you have other questions about the side effects of Adderall, talk with your doctor. Adderall is a stimulant medication used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It contains two active ingredients: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Vyvanse is also a stimulant medication. It contains the active drug lisdexamfetamine. Vyvanse is used for ADHD and binge eating disorder. For more information about how Adderall compares with Vyvanse, see this article. Adderall and Concerta are both stimulant medications prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adderall is also used for narcolepsy. Adderall contains the active ingredients amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Concerta contains methylphenidate. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) These drugs can cause many of the same side effects, such as:

You might need to use this drug long term. From time to time during your treatment, your doctor may check whether you need to keep taking it. They’ll do this by tapering you off the medication to see if your symptoms return. If symptoms do return, you may need to keep taking the medication. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk with your doctor to learn more about other medications that may work well for you.

Adderall typically begins to work within one to two hours of taking it. The half-life of a medication refers to the time it takes for half of the medication to be inactivated or removed from the body. Half-life is used as a measure of how long the medication will work or stay in the body. The half-life of Adderall varies depending on a person’s age, liver and kidney function, and other factors. The half-life of Adderall is typically from 9 to 14 hours. There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be sure about how Adderall might affect a fetus if taken during pregnancy. Some research in animals has shown negative effects to a fetus when the drug was given during pregnancy. However, animal studies don’t always predict the way humans would respond. Some negative effects have been seen in infants born to people who have taken drugs similar to Adderall during pregnancy. These include an increased risk of being born premature, having low birth weight, or having symptoms of drug withdrawal. Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This medication should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit justifies the potential risk. You should not breastfeed while taking this medication. Adderall can pass through breast milk and cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Tell your doctor if you’re breastfeeding your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication. Drug dependence can occur in people who take Adderall. Prolonged use can cause both psychological and physical dependence. This can make it difficult to stop taking the medication, because your body needs the drug in order to function like usual. In some cases, it can lead to drug misuse and inappropriate usage, resulting in severe side effects. (With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed.) 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. Many college students use Adderall to help them study. But some research suggests that Adderall doesn’t improve thinking and might even worsen memory. When Adderall is dispensed from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This date is typically one year from the date the medication was dispensed. The purpose of such expiration dates is to guarantee the effectiveness of the medication during this time. The How long the medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where the medication is stored. Adderall should be stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed and light-resistant container. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk with your pharmacist about how to properly dispose of it. Adderall can have some effects on your eyes.

If you miss a dose in the morning, take it as soon as you can. However, if it’s just a few hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one on schedule. When possible, avoid taking makeup doses in the late afternoon or evening because this can cause problems falling asleep at bedtime. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at a time. This can cause dangerous side effects.

Yes, Adderall is a controlled substance. This means that it can cause psychological or physical dependence and has the potential for misuse (also called abuse). The government has created special regulations that determine how controlled substances are prescribed and dispensed. These regulations also require that you get a new prescription from your doctor for each refill.