What is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription medication that doctors commonly prescribe to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Adderall can also help treat narcolepsy, which is a sleep disorder.
This combination medication is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - ADHD. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain. Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine belongs to a class of drugs known as stimulants. It can help increase your ability to pay attention, stay focused on an activity, and control behaviour problems. It may also help you to organize your tasks and improve listening skills. This drug is also used to treat a certain sleeping disorder (narcolepsy) to help you stay awake during the day. It should not be used to treat tiredness or to hold off sleep in people who do not have a sleep disorder.
How does Adderall help ADHD?
Experts think that ADHD may be caused by an imbalance of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Not having proper levels of these neurotransmitters can lead to symptoms of ADHD such as decreased motivation and an inability to focus.
Adderall causes your brain to release more dopamine and norepinephrine. "The release of these chemicals in the brain increases attention and concentration," says Gene Beresin, MD, a psychiatrist and director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Since Adderall can improve attention and focus, it can help people with ADHD develop better work habits and skills so that they are more equipped to perform socially, academically, and professionally, Beresin says.
How to use Adderall?
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking amphetamine/dextroamphetamine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 1 to 3 times a day. The first dose is usually taken when you wake up in the morning. If more doses are prescribed, take them as directed by your doctor, usually 4-6 hours apart. Taking this medication late in the day may cause trouble sleeping (insomnia).
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Your doctor may adjust your dose to find the dose that is best for you. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.
Risks
While Adderall is a safe treatment option for many people, there are several possible risks. These include or relate to:
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
According to the FDA, there are no adequate, well-controlled studies investigating the effects of Adderall use during pregnancy.
It is possible that infants who have exposure to amphetamines during gestation are at increased risk of:
- premature birth
- low birth weight
- amphetamine withdrawal symptoms
According to the FDA, doctors should only prescribe Adderall during pregnancy if the likely benefit justifies the potential risks.
As the body excretes amphetamines in breast milk, people who take these drugs should avoid breastfeeding and talk to a doctor about either changing medications or using formula.
Infants who ingest amphetamines through breast milk may experience side effects.
