Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant that can improve symptoms of depression. Both drugs cause the body to release increased norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that send messages, or signals, between cells. Adderall oral tablet and Adderall XR extended-release oral capsule are both available in generic forms. Adderall and modafinil, a generic drug, are both stimulant medications, but they affect the brain in slightly different ways.
How Long Does Adderall XR Last? Adderall XR Dosages Explained
Adderall XR commonly causes dry mouth in up to 35 percent of people who take it. Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. Drinking alcohol with Adderall could also raise your risk of certain side effects, such as dizziness, blurry vision, and headache.
Fruit juices high in vitamin C, soda drinks, and food with high levels of preservatives should be avoided an hour before and after taking Adderall. Virtually all side effects from taking Adderall are mild and pass quickly in most cases. Tolerance develops to the side effects of Adderall IR and XR in five to seven days.
History And Development
Monitor all ADDERALL-treated patients for potential tachycardia and hypertension. If you need to dispose of unused or expired amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, bring it to a medicine take-back program at an authorized collection site, such as a pharmacy or police station. If no take-back program is available, mix it with a nontoxic and unattractive substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds and place it in a container like a sealed plastic bag. Ask your pharmacist or other health care provider if you are not sure how to throw away this medicine safely.
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This means that it’s not FDA-approved for this purpose, but there is some scientific evidence that it might help. Adderall and Ritalin (methylphenidate) are both commonly used to treat ADHD. However, there are some differences that might make you prefer one over the other. Because Adderall and Vyvanse are very similar medications, they also have similar side effects and drug interactions. Vyvanse is available as a delayed-release capsule and a chewable tablet, both of which are taken once daily.
Medical Professionals

Children aged 3–5 years should begin with a starting dosage of 2.5 milligrams (mg) per day. If necessary, a doctor may increase the daily dose by 2.5 mg at weekly intervals to establish the minimum effective dosage. Advise patients that there are potential risks to patients with serious cardiac disease, including sudden death, with ADDERALL use. Instruct patients to contact a healthcare provider immediately if they develop symptoms such as exertional chest pain, unexplained syncope, or other symptoms suggestive of cardiac disease see WARNINGS. CNS stimulants, at recommended doses, may cause psychotic or manic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusional thinking, or mania) in patients without a prior history of psychotic illness or mania.
How Does Adderall Work On The Body?
Consuming alcohol with Adderall can be a dangerous combination. If you drink alcohol, it’s safer to avoid it during Adderall treatment. To learn more about these forms, see the “Adderall dosage” section above. Picking the best medication is often a matter of trial and error.
- Loss of appetite is much more common in children who were already thin or picky eaters before taking Adderall.
- (ammonium chloride, sodium acid phosphate, etc.) increase the concentration of the ionized species of the amphetamine molecule, thereby increasing urinary excretion.
- Other stimulant drugs used for these conditions include methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Daytrana, others) and dexamphetamine (Dexedrine).
- If you’re taking Adderall for a medical condition such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), be sure to discuss it with your coach.
- Misuse is the intentional use, for therapeutic purposes, of a drug by an individual in a way other than prescribed by a health care provider or for whom it was not prescribed.
The History Of ADHD And Its Treatments
Your doctor will monitor your child’s growth during treatment with Adderall. In some studies, constipation occurred in 2 percent to 4 percent of people who took Adderall XR. Males who misuse amphetamines such as Adderall can experience erectile dysfunction as well as increases or decreases in sexual desire.

Dosage Details For Adderall
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). Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine may increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Keep all appointments with your health care provider to check your blood pressure and heart rate before starting amphetamine/dextroamphetamine and during treatment. If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. Also call your health care provider or get medical attention right away if you have chest pain or a fast heartbeat or if you faint or feel your heartbeat more than usual.
Some research suggests that combining stimulant medication with antidepressants might improve symptoms of ADHD and anxiety. Both Adderall and methylphenidate are FDA-approved for treating ADHD and narcolepsy. Both are also used off-label for treating similar conditions, such as depression and anxiety, in combination with other medications.

- If this dose isn’t working for you, your doctor may recommend increasing your dose by 10 mg each week to find the right amount for you.
- Basically I took a drug test recently because I wanted to see what might be in these pills, I’m waiting on a reagent test currently so this was my only option right now to see what could be in these.
- The least amount of amphetamine feasible should be prescribed or dispensed at one time in order to minimize the possibility of overdosage.
- Because Adderall and Vyvanse are very similar medications, they also have similar side effects and drug interactions.
- For the remainder of this article, the term “Adderall” refers to both forms of the drug except where specified.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Adderall. It may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions. A person will need to divide this amount into two or three smaller doses and take them throughout the day, rather than taking all 60 mg at once. The recommended maximum daily dose (MDD) for adults with ADHD is 40 mg. Adderall is a schedule II controlled substance, meaning that it has a high potential to lead to dependence and abuse.
Alkalinizing Agents
After a couple of days of being on the medication, they may find that they get more restful sleep at night and have more energy when they wake up. Some people with narcolepsy find that their sleepiness can also impact their levels of motivation. These different effects of Adderall on the brain and the body are responsible for the benefits and the side effects. Gastrointestinal acidifying agents (guanethidine, reserpine, glutamic acid HCl, ascorbic acid, fruit juices, etc.) lower absorption of amphetamines. Specific etiology of this syndrome is unknown, and there is no single diagnostic test.
The effects of Adderall IR (immediate-release) tablets last four hours or less. With Adderall XR slow-release capsule formula, for adults, the dose is 20 mg once per day and increased until the optimal dosage is met. For children, the dose starts at 5 mg to 10 mg per day and is increased gradually until the desired effect is achieved. For the treatment of ADHD and sleeping disorders, the adult starting dose of the instant release form is 5 mg to 10 mg, once or twice per day. Then the dosage will be increased by 5 mg to 10 mg increments each week until the desired response is achieved. Since obesity is a leading cause of high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart attack, and other severe health conditions, the treatment of Adderall may be beneficial for some.

Patients should be given the opportunity to discuss the contents of the Medication Guide and to obtain answers to any questions they may have. The complete text of the Medication Guide is reprinted at the end of this document. Amphetamines may impair the ability of the patient to engage in potentially hazardous activities such as operating machinery or vehicles; the patient should therefore be cautioned accordingly. Difficulties with accommodation and blurring of vision have been reported with stimulant treatment. Concomitant use of Adderall with MAOI drugs is contraindicated see CONTRAINDICATIONS. During or within 14 days following the administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (hypertensive crises may result).
“Immediate release” means the drug is released into your body right away. “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time. The dosage depends on which condition Adderall is treating and the age of the person taking it. A person can minimize the symptoms of withdrawal by gradually reducing the dosage over time. Infants who ingest amphetamines through breast milk may experience side effects. Adderall increases the availability of dopamine in the brain, helping alleviate ADHD symptoms.