Adderall capsules should be swallowed whole with water or other liquids. If your child is unable to swallow the capsule, it can be opened and sprinkled over a spoonful of applesauce. Taken this way, the mixture should be swallowed whole without chewing, followed by a drink of water or other liquid. Capsules should never by crushed or chewed. As with all medications, follow your Adderall XR prescription instructions exactly. Adderall capsules are available in the following dosages : 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 25mg and 30mg.
The time-release formulation is designed to maintain a steady level of medication in your body throughout the day. The optimal Adderall dosage varies patient by patient; is not determined by age, weight, or height, but rather by how a person metabolizes the medication.
The following factors impact dosage:. Your doctor may adjust your daily dosage by 5mg increments until you or your child experiences the best response — that is, the lowest dosage at which you experience the greatest improvement in symptoms without side effects.
If you or your child exceeds the prescribed dosage, call your doctor or poison control, or seek emergency medical care.
Some patients report developing a tolerance to Adderall after long-term usage. If you notice that your dosage is no longer controlling your symptoms, talk to your doctor to plan a course of action. Most people taking Adderall XR do not experience any side effects. That said, the most common side effects of Adderall XR are as follows:. Adderall should not be taken off-label to help you lose weight.
Weight loss is not an approved use for this medication. Changes in eyesight is another serious side effects of Adderall XR. This side effect usually wears off with time. If side effects are bothersome, or do not go away, talk to your doctor. Report to your doctor any heart-related problems or a family history of heart and blood pressure problems. Patients with structural cardiac abnormalities and other serious heart problems have experienced sudden death, stroke, heart attack, and increased blood pressure while taking Adderall XR.
Stimulants can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Physicians should monitor these vital signs closely during treatment. Call your doctor immediately if you or your child experiences warning signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking Adderall XR. Disclose to your physician all mental health issues including any family history of suicide, bipolar illness, tics, or depression. It can cause psychotic or manic symptoms in children and teenagers.
Call your doctor immediately if you or your child experiences new or worsening mental health symptoms including hallucinations or sudden suspicions. Report to your doctor any new blood-flow problems, pain, skin color changes, or sensitivities to temperature while taking Adderall XR. People with a history of drug abuse should use caution when trying this medication.
Taking the medication exactly as prescribed can reduce potential for abuse. The above is not a complete list of potential side effects. If you notice any health changes not listed above, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist. Animal studies indicate a potential risk of fetal harm; infants may be born prematurely, with low birth weight, have learning or motor deficits, or experience withdrawal. Adderall XR is passed through breastmilk, so it is recommended that mothers do not nurse while taking it.
The effects of Adderall XR on the elderly have not been studied. Store Adderall XR in a secure place out of the reach of children, and at room temperature. Sharing prescription medication is illegal, and can cause harm. Before taking Adderall XR , discuss all other active prescription medications with your doctor.
Exercise caution with medicines including anti-psychotics, lithium, narcotic pain medicines, seizure medications, blood thinners, blood pressure medications, stomach acid medications — like antacids —, and cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants.
Even over-the-counter medications may contain ingredients that raise or lower the level of the medication in your blood to a dangerous level. Share a list of all vitamin or herbal supplements, and prescription and non-prescription medications you take with the pharmacist when you fill your prescription, and let all doctors and physicians know you are taking Adderall XR before having any surgery or laboratory tests.
The above is not a complete list of all possible drug interactions. She is 8 years old now but she started it when she was 6. She is normally a happy, feisty, little tornado, but when her medicine wears off about 5pm she gets grouchy and irritable. The doctor gave me a prescription for the regular Adderall 5mg and told me to give it to her around pm after school. So after about a week I dropped the extra pill in the afternoon and deal with the irritability, which has improved some.
My son who is 20 developed a constant throat-clearing problem and he is on Adderall XR. He also gets a tight feeling in his throat. He tried Medidate and Concerta, both of which worked well, but the dose kept increasing. He has been on Adderall XL 20 mg. He is a totally different kid on the medicine focused, much calmer, and responsible. When not on the medicine, you can definitely see the difference very hyper, giddy, not focused, lack of personal boundaries, etc.
Thus, I would say that Adderrall has worked great for him. My child was diagnosed with comprehensive ADD and was prescribed Adderall. She takes 20mg XR in the morning and 10mg regular in the afternoon. I talked to my doctor about it a couple of weeks ago and she suggested trying Adderall XR 30mg instead of the Concerta ER 54mg I was taking. It really seems to be helping! My first experience with Adderall XR was horrible. It changed my mood and behavior. I would get angry easier and cry easier.
It made me get horrible bad breath, dry mouth, and body odor. I had to switch meds. I was diagnosed with the inattentive type just before my 40th birthday.
I take 20 mg slow release generic Adderall XR. I am 30 years old and have ADHD. I have been taking Adderall for approximately 3 years now and the last dose 25 MG XR 24 hour as my doctor states I received makes me extremely irritable, especially when my concentration gets broken.
It seems to be progressing, especially the anxiety. I did get a slight headache at the end of the day when it started to taper off, but nothing that bothered me.
It starts about the time my medicine kicks in and lasts till the drop off headache would normally subside. I just started Adderall XR on Friday. It worked great this weekend and for the beginning of this week at work.
Today, it took 40 minutes to kick in instead of a half hour , and it stopped working after three and a half hours instead of Started with 10ml for 30 days…nothing. Increased to 20ml for another 30 day trial…still nothing. Doctor wanted to switch to something else but I asked if we could try 30ml before doing that and so we did.
One word…WOW. That did it. Super focused through most of the day. I refuse to use Adderall again. I was diagnosed at 50 yrs old and for most of the past 20 years I have taken Dexedrine. For a year or so because I had a new doctor, I was prescribed Adderall and hated it.
It made me jittery and my focus and ability to concentrate for periosds of time was awful. I absolutely will never take it again. Subsequently, I had another doctor who would not prescribe Dexedrine gave me Vyvanse which was better than Adderall but not much. I did not like Ritalin at all- I told the doctor that if this was the cure I would rather have the disease. So Dexedrine is my go-to medication. She seemed to be spaced out, and would take tries to pull her back to the moment.
Studies show that it improves attention and focus, and reduces impulsive behaviors. Between 75 percent and 80 percent of children with ADHD will see improved symptoms with the use of stimulants such as Adderall. Adderall is also effective for increasing daytime wakefulness in people with narcolepsy, although there is little related research available.
Yes, Adderall is a controlled substance. This means that it can cause psychological or physical dependence and has the potential for abuse and misuse. 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.
Adderall oral tablet and Adderall XR extended-release oral capsule are both available in generic forms. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, the brand-name drug and the generic version may be available in different forms and strengths. Adderall contains a mixture of different forms of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Specifically, these forms include amphetamine aspartate, amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, and dextroamphetamine sulfate.
Adderall can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Adderall. For more information on the possible side effects of Adderall, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. These side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Adderall is safe to use long term when taken at doctor-recommended dosages.
For many people, common side effects such as loss of appetite, dry mouth, or insomnia are reduced with continued use of the drug. For others, these side effects may continue. Long-term use of Adderall or other stimulants may cause some changes in the brain, such as decreases in the amount of the chemical messenger dopamine. This seems more likely to happen in people who abuse Adderall in high doses. When Adderall is misused or abused, long-term use can lead to physical and psychological dependence.
Inappropriate use can lead to many serious side effects, including:. Some people who take Adderall may experience feelings of being energetic, focused, excited, or self-confident. Feelings of euphoria also sometimes occur. These effects are more likely when the medication is misused or abused. Headache is one of the most common side effects of Adderall. In some studies, headache occurred in up to 26 percent of people who took Adderall XR. This side effect may decrease with continued use of the drug.
Nausea is a common side effect of Adderall. In some studies, nausea occurred in 5 percent to 8 percent of people taking Adderall XR. Men who abuse amphetamines such as Adderall can experience erectile dysfunction as well as increases or decreases in sexual desire. Constipation is a common side effect of Adderall.
In some studies, constipation occurred in 2 percent to 4 percent of people who took Adderall XR. Some people who take Adderall have reported hair loss. Symptoms of psychosis , including hallucinations, agitation, or disordered thinking, are a rare side effect of Adderall. In some cases, these symptoms have occurred in people taking typical, recommended doses of Adderall. Symptoms of psychosis are more likely to occur in people who have a history of psychosis before they start taking Adderall.
If you have this side effect while taking Adderall, talk with your doctor right away. You may need to stop taking Adderall. Adderall XR commonly causes dry mouth in up to 35 percent of people who take it. Some people who take Adderall report increased sweating. This seems to occur in about 2 percent to 4 percent of people taking Adderall XR. Insomnia , or trouble sleeping, is one of the most common side effects of Adderall.
As much as 27 percent of people who take Adderall XR can have insomnia. If you do, it might mean that you have a heart condition. Fatigue may occur in 2 percent to 4 percent of people who take Adderall XR in commonly prescribed dosages. Fatigue may be more common in people who misuse or abuse Adderall, especially in higher doses. Also, people who have become dependent on Adderall can experience extreme fatigue if they stop taking the drug.
Some children can have slightly slowed growth in height and weight while taking Adderall. This is usually temporary, and growth typically catches up over time. In some cases, Adderall can temporarily cause your pupils — the black centers of your eyes — to dilate become bigger. However, for people with glaucoma , this effect could worsen their condition. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended.
However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs. If you miss a dose in the morning, take it as soon as you can. When possible, avoid taking makeup doses in the late afternoon or evening because this can cause problems falling asleep at bedtime. 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.
If symptoms do return, you may need to keep taking the medication. Talk with your doctor before stopping this medication. If you stop taking it, the symptoms of your condition may return. You may also develop withdrawal symptoms. These can include:. Adderall has been approved to treat two conditions. Adderall tablet is also approved to treat narcolepsy. It can help reduce daytime sleepiness in people with this condition. This is called off-label use.
It may also be used to treat depression in people who have both ADHD and depression. Some people who take Adderall or similar stimulant medication along with antidepressant medication have improved depression symptoms.
However, taking stimulants with antidepressants can increase the risk of side effects. Talk with your doctor before combining Adderall and any antidepressant medication. Adderall or similar stimulant medications are sometimes prescribed off-label for people with anxiety , especially for those who have both ADHD and anxiety. Some research suggests that combining stimulant medication with antidepressants might improve symptoms of ADHD and anxiety.
Adderall and other stimulants are sometimes prescribed off-label for treating symptoms of depression in people with bipolar disorder. In some cases, this type of misuse of Adderall can lead to abuse of the drug. Adderall can cause a loss of appetite. Because of this side effect, some people misuse Adderall as a weight loss aid. Adderall is often misused by people without ADHD to increase focus, concentration, and endurance when studying.
This occurs especially often with college students. In addition, it could worsen memory. Adderall tablets are approved for treating ADHD in children ages 3 years and older. Adderall tablets are also approved for treating narcolepsy in children ages 6 years and older. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor to learn more about other medications that may work well for you. Adderall belongs to a class of medications called stimulants.
Drugs in this class are usually considered the first choice of medications for treating ADHD. Other stimulants that are options for treating ADHD include:. Some people also use herbs and dietary supplements to treat ADHD. For most of these supplements, there is very little research showing that they work, or research findings are inconsistent. Examples of these supplements include:. Despite these similarities, there are some differences between the drugs that might make you prefer one over the other.
Vyvanse is approved for treating ADHD and binge eating disorder. Vyvanse is also used off-label to treat narcolepsy. Adderall comes in two forms: an immediate-release tablet Adderall and an extended-release capsule Adderall XR. Vyvanse is available as a delayed-release capsule and a chewable tablet, both of which are taken once daily.
The chewable tablet may be a good option for those who have a hard time swallowing pills. However, individual people may respond better to one over the other.
Because Adderall and Vyvanse are very similar medications, they also have similar side effects and drug interactions. Both medications can cause psychological and physical dependence and can be misused or abused. However, Vyvanse may be less likely to be misused.
This is because Adderall has a more immediate and intense effect when taken, which might be attractive to people who want to misuse it. The costs of brand-name versions of Adderall and Vyvanse are similar. However, Adderall is also available in a generic form, while Vyvanse is not. The FDA has determined that the patent for Vyvanse is valid until It will be at least until then before a generic for Vyvanse is available. Generic drugs are typically less expensive than brand-name drugs. But in some cases, the brand-name drug and the generic version may be available in different forms and strengths.
However, there are some differences that might make you prefer one over the other. The Adderall tablet is taken one to three times daily. Adderall XR is taken just once daily. Like Adderall, Ritalin also comes in two forms: an immediate-release Ritalin tablet and an extended-release capsule Ritalin LA. Ritalin tablet is taken two to three times daily, and Ritalin LA is taken once daily.
Generic versions of Ritalin also come in other dosage forms, including a chewable tablet and an oral liquid solution. The main side effects of Adderall and Adderall XR include:. Many children and adults have mild side effects that may improve with time. If side effects don't improve, your healthcare provider may have to lower your dosage or consider changing to another ADHD medication, such as Vyvanse, Concerta, or Strattera. Severe and life-threatening adverse events, including heart attack or stroke or allergic reactions, can happen with the use of stimulants.
Seek immediate medical care if you have any of the following symptoms:. Given the potential risks associated with taking Adderall, and particularly if you have certain health concerns, your healthcare provider may want to routinely monitor your blood pressure and heart rate, perform more involved tests of the heart, and regularly evaluate your mental health to look for any alarming changes.
Consistently medicated children may have a suppression of growth and should be carefully monitored. Those not growing or gaining weight as expected may need to stop the medication. Difficulties with vision, including blurry vision, may occur while on stimulants and may need to be monitored or the medication may need to be stopped.
It's important that you keep up with any recommended follow-up appointments. Aside from being aware of the aforementioned medication interactions, know that Adderall also interacts with:.
Central nervous system stimulants, including Adderall and Adderall XR, have a high potential for abuse and dependence. Since Adderall is touted in some high school and college circles and even some work settings as a "cognitive enhancer," those taking it may be pressured to share or sell their medication.
This medication should never be used by anyone other than the person it was prescribed to, and parents should speak with their kids about this concern as well as monitor their use. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Diagnosis and management of ADHD in children. Am Fam Physician. National Institute of Mental Health. Updated September Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated January 29, Bhattarai J, Sumerall S.
Current and future treatment options for narcolepsy: a Review. Sleep Sci. Risk of serious cardiovascular problems with medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
CNS Drugs. Food and Drug Administration. Label for Adderall. Clavenna A, Bonati M. Pediatric pharmacoepidemiology - safety and effectiveness of medicines for ADHD. Expert Opin Drug Saf. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth.
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