Author: Charles Frank
Adderall: Side Effects, Dosage, Uses, and More
Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Adderall can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for Adderall and Adderall XR. 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.
The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Adderall is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription. 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. Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
Also, if you’re having trouble opening your medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to put Adderall in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also recommend tools to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container. Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t. Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Adderall that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.
Before taking this medicine
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
People who feel as though they are experiencing a medical emergency should phone 911 or the emergency number in their area. Stimulant medications, such as Adderall, boost the levels of a brain chemical called norepinephrine, which helps promote wakefulness. Adderall increases the availability of dopamine in the brain, helping alleviate ADHD symptoms. Research shows that these symptoms are partly the result of decreased dopamine activity in the brain. Dopamine is a brain chemical that plays an important role in movement, motivation, and attention.
Questions about Adderall’s dosing
This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 3 Mar 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Mar 2024), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2024) and others. Adderall is a prescription medication that contains the stimulants amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. These drugs can be effective in treating the symptoms of ADHD and narcolepsy.
- Neither form of Adderall should cause long-term side effects.
- In general, doctors usually prescribe methylphenidate for ADHD in children and amphetamine-based stimulants for ADHD in adults.
- Other overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, uneven heartbeats, feeling light-headed, fainting, seizure (convulsions), or coma.
- Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days.
The dosage of Adderall or Adderall XR your doctor prescribes depends on various factors. These include your age, kidney function, and the condition you’re taking the drug to treat. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Adderall or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Adderall. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.
Side Effects
The medications in Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using this medicine. In regards to ADHD, doses of more than 40 mg a day are rarely more effective than lower amounts. For narcolepsy treatment, doctors may begin with 5 mg a day and then go up to 60 mg a day, with dosages given every four to six hours.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with Adderall. Before prescribing Adderall, your doctor will assess your risk of misuse and dependence. You may have a higher risk of these problems if you have a history of drug or alcohol misuse or dependence.
Adderall may cause mental health issues such as mania and psychosis. If you already have a mental health condition, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, you may have a higher risk of these side effects. Caffeine can increase the stimulant effect of Adderall. This may raise your risk of side effects such as insomnia (trouble sleeping), nervousness, and anxiety. You should limit the amount of caffeine you consume while taking Adderall. This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Adderall.
If Adderall is ineffective or causes intolerable side effects, a doctor may recommend a different medication. The FDA do not recommend Adderall for children under 3 years of age. The dosage depends on which condition Adderall is treating and the age of the person taking it. Infants who ingest amphetamines through breast milk may experience side effects. According to the FDA, doctors should only prescribe Adderall during pregnancy if the likely benefit justifies the potential risks.
Side effects
It can help increase your ability to pay attention, stay focused on an activity, and control behavior problems. It should not be used to treat tiredness or to hold off sleep in people who do not have a sleep disorder. Differences are that Qelbree is a long-acting, once daily nonstimulant medicine and is less likely to cause trouble with sleeping or lead to abuse. Adderall is a short-acting stimulant medication given 1 to 3 times a day, is a C-II controlled substance, and can be abused. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions.
And if you have high blood pressure, taking Adderall could make it worse. Your doctor may want to check your heart and blood pressure before prescribing Adderall to make sure it’s safe for you. This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with Adderall. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.