What is Adderall?
what is adderall is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Adderall contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are central nervous system stimulants that affect chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
Adderall may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Before taking this medicine
Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
You may not be able to use Adderall if you are allergic to any stimulant medicine. You may not be able to use Adderall if you have:
- glaucoma;
- overactive thyroid;
- severe anxiety or agitation (stimulant medicine can make these symptoms worse);
- high blood pressure;
- heart disease or coronary artery disease;
- vascular disease or hardening of the arteries; or
- a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Some medicines can interact with amphetamine and dextroamphetamine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Tell your doctor about any other medications you are using. Be sure your doctor knows if you also take opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications. Symptom of serotonin syndrome may include agitation, hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not real), coma, fast heart rate, dizziness, sweating, feeling hot, muscle rigidity or shakiness, seizures, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Stop Adderall immediately if you experience these symptoms.
How should I take Adderall?what is adderall
Take Adderall exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Adderall may be habit-forming. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Dosing information
Usual adult dose for ADHD
Immediate-release (IR):
- Initial dose: 5 mg orally 1 or 2 times a day.
- Maintenance dose: the daily dose may be raised in 5 mg increments at weekly intervals until an optimal response is obtained.
- Maximum dose: only in rare cases will it be necessary to exceed 40 mg per day.
- The first dose should be given upon awakening, with 1 to 2 additional doses at intervals of 4 to 6 hours.
Extended-release (XR), for patients starting treatment for the first time or switching from another medication:
- Initial dose: 20 mg orally once a day.
Usual adult dose for narcolepsy
Immediate-release (IR):
- Initial dose: 10 mg orally per day in divided doses.
- Maintenance dose: the daily dose may be raised in 10 mg increments at weekly intervals until an optimal response is obtained.
- The usual dose is 5 to 60 mg per day in divided doses, depending on the individual patient response.
- The first dose should be given on awakening, with 1 to 2 additional doses at intervals of 4 to 6 hours.
Usual pediatric dose for ADHD
Immediate-release (IR), ages 3 to 5 years:
- Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally per day.
- Maintenance dose: the daily dose may be raised in 2.5 mg increments at weekly intervals until an optimal response is obtained.
Immediate-release (IR), ages 6 to 17 years:
- Initial dose: 5 mg orally 1 or 2 times a day.
- Maintenance dose: the daily dose may be raised in 5 mg increments at weekly intervals until an optimal response is obtained.
- Maximum dose: only in rare cases will it be necessary to exceed 40 mg per day.
Extended-release (XR), ages 6 to 12 years:
- Initial dose: 5 or 10 mg orally once a day in the morning.
- Maintenance dose: the daily dose may be raised in 5 to 10 mg increments at weekly intervals.
- Maximum dose: 30 mg per day.
What happens if I overdose?what is adderall
If you or your child takes too much Adderall, call your healthcare provider or the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. An overdose of Adderall could be fatal.
Overdose symptoms may include restlessness, tremor, muscle twitches, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, muscle pain or weakness, and dark colored urine. These symptoms may be followed by depression and tiredness. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, uneven heartbeats, feeling light-headed, fainting, seizure, or coma.
What to avoid
This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid drinking fruit juices or taking vitamin C at the same time you take Adderall. These can make your body absorb less of the medicine.
What other drugs will affect Adderall?what is adderall
Ask your doctor before using a stomach acid medicine (including Alka-Seltzer or sodium bicarbonate). Some of these medicines can change the way your body absorbs Adderall and may increase side effects.
Some medicines can interact with amphetamine and dextroamphetamine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- tricyclic antidepressants
- medicines used to treat migraine headaches, called triptans
- lithium, buspirone, tramadol, fentanyl, or tryptophan
- St. John’s Wort
- blood pressure medicine
- heartburn medicine
- a blood thinner such as warfarin
- cold or allergy medicine that contains a decongestant
- opioid (narcotic) medicine
- seizure medicine.what is adderall
