ADHD Medications: How They Work & Side Effects

Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine may cause serotonin syndrome when it is taken alone or with other medicines that affect serotonin. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome. Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine contains two medicines, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It may work by increasing levels of natural brain chemicals, such as norepinephrine and dopamine. These chemicals play a role in attention, alertness, and wakefulness. In general, doctors usually prescribe methylphenidate for ADHD in children and amphetamine-based stimulants for ADHD in adults.

  • They may increase the daily dose by 5 mg each week, stopping when they find the optimal dosage.
  • Some Adderall side effects, such as dry mouth, don’t need medical treatment.
  • Adderall use may also cause false results in certain tests.
  • You may not feel the full effects of these medications until you’ve been taking them regularly for three to four weeks.

Related Conditions

If Adderall is ineffective or causes intolerable side effects, a doctor may recommend a different medication. The recommended maximum daily dose (MDD) for adults with ADHD is 40 mg. Infants who ingest amphetamines through breast milk may experience side effects. Taking stimulants at the start of the day can promote daytime wakefulness, which may also help a person sleep better at night. Adderall increases the availability of dopamine in the brain, helping alleviate ADHD symptoms.

  • The chart below shows the class, generic name, brand name and duration of each FDA-approved non-stimulant ADHD medication.
  • Before Adderall is prescribed, a doctor will determine whether or not you have any allergic reactions to stimulant medication.
  • They’ll need to monitor bodily reactions until you find the right medication and dose.
  • Adderall can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions.

In some cases, misuse of Adderall may also lead to addiction (feeling unable to stop taking a drug, even though it may be causing harm). Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may cover both brand-name and generic Adderall. 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. Adderall starts working within 1 to 2 hours after you take a dose. Adderall and other stimulants have some similarities and some differences.

These side effects may vary depending on your age and the product you are taking. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you. These uses may vary depending on the specific amphetamine/dextroamphetamine product prescribed.

Non-stimulant medications for ADHD take longer to start working than stimulants. You may not feel the full effects of these medications until you’ve been taking them regularly for three to four weeks. However, these medications can also help you improve your attention, focus and impulsivity.

Talk with your health care provider before drinking alcohol while adderall uses, dosage, side effects taking amphetamine/dextroamphetamine. Tell your health care provider if you or anyone in your family has had mental health problems, including psychosis, bipolar disorder, mania, depression, or suicide. Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine may worsen certain mental health conditions.

Who should not use amphetamine/dextroamphetamine?

They’re usually prescribed as part of a treatment program that may include psychological or behavioral therapy. 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.

How is amphetamine/dextroamphetamine supplied (dosage forms)?

You might feel jittery, lose your appetite, and experience greater insomnia. Before Adderall is prescribed, a doctor will determine whether or not you have any allergic reactions to stimulant medication. Your doctor will also ask about your family history to make sure it’s safe for you. The generic name for Adderall is dextroamphetamine-amphetamine. Generic and brand-name drugs perform the same functions and contain the same active ingredients. They are also just as effective and safe as their brand name equivalent.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Priapism, defined as a painful and nonpainful penile erection lasting more than 4 hours, has been reported in pediatric and adult patients treated with stimulants. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or your child has any numbness, pain, skin color change, or sensitivity to temperature in your fingers or toes. Amphetamine is known to inhibit monoamine oxidase, whereas the ability of amphetamine and its metabolites to inhibit various P450 isozymes and other enzymes has not been adequately elucidated. In vitro experiments with human microsomes indicate minor inhibition of CYP2D6 by amphetamine and minor inhibition of CYP1A2, 2D6, and 3A4 by one or more metabolites. Amphetamines are non-catecholamine sympathomimetic amines with CNS stimulant activity.

Adderall Side Effects in Women and People AFAB

For more information, see the “Can Adderall be misused? Drinking fruit juices while taking Adderall can reduce the amount of the drug your body absorbs. You should not drink fruit juices such as orange juice within 1 hour of taking Adderall.

Do not take amphetamine/dextroamphetamine unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Some people who have taken amphetamine/dextroamphetamine have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize.

Risks

Advise patients that there are potential risks to patients with serious cardiac disease, including sudden death, with ADDERALL use. 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. You should not drink alcohol while taking some amphetamine/dextroamphetamine products because it may cause a faster release of your dose. This can cause higher levels of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine in your blood and increase the risk of side effects.

Although Adderall can reduce your appetite, it’s not prescribed for weight loss. To learn more about treatments for weight loss, talk with your doctor. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a lifelong condition that has no cure.

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