Adderall

What is Adderall

Adderall is a stimulant and appetite suppressant. It stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain) by increasing the amount of certain chemicals in the body. This increases heart rate and blood pressure and decreases appetite, among other effects.

Adderall is used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD).

Adderall may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

General medical information about Adderall

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Adderall may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities.

Adderall is habit forming. Physical and psychological dependence may occur with the use of this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.

Do not crush or chew the extended-release form of Adderall (Adderall XR). If swallowing the capsules is difficult, a capsule can be opened and the entire contents sprinkled on a small amount of applesauce. The mixture should be consumed immediately, and not saved for later use. The mixture should be swallowed whole, without chewing the sprinkled beads. The dose of a single capsule should not be divided.

What you should find out before taking Adderall

Do not take Adderall if you
- have heart disease or high blood pressure;
- have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries);
- have glaucoma;
- have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days; or
- have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
- thyroid problems;
- an anxiety disorder;
- epilepsy or another seizure disorder; or
- diabetes.

You may not be able to take Adderall, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Adderall is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Adderall without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Adderall passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take Adderall without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should take Adderall

Take Adderall exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions , ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Taking Adderall in the late afternoon or evening may cause insomnia. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding when to take the medication.

Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too much Adderall could be dangerous.

Store Adderall at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose or if it is already evening, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. A dose taken too late in the day may cause insomnia. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if you overdose:

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an Adderall overdose include restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, an irregular heartbeat, and seizures.

Avoid while taking Adderall

Do not take Adderall late in the day. A dose taken too late in the day may cause insomnia.

Possible side effects of Adderall

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Adderall and seek emergency medical attention:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- an irregular heartbeat or very high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or
- hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or confusion.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Adderall and talk to your doctor if you experience
- restlessness or tremor;
- anxiety or nervousness;
- headache or dizziness;
- insomnia;
- dryness of the mouth or an unpleasant taste in the mouth;
- diarrhea or constipation; or
- impotence or changes in sex drive.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Adderall

Do not take Adderall if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days.

Before taking Adderall, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- insulin or another medicine to treat diabetes;
- guanethidine (Ismelin) or reserpine (Diutensin-R);
- doxazosin (Cardura), terazosin (Hytrin), prazosin (Minipress), or guanadrel(Hylorel);
- a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine);
- lithium (Lithobid, Lithonate, Eskalith, others);
- haloperidol (Haldol); or
- a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), or desipramine (Norpramin).

You may not be able to take Adderall, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Adderall. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.