Adderall is a prescription medication that contains two stimulant drugs: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.
Stimulant drugs increase the activity of certain brain chemicals.
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Together, these brain chemicals play a vital role in wakefulness and attention.
Adderall is available as either an oral tablet under the brand name Adderall or an extended-release oral tablet under the brand name Adderall XR.
• Uses of Adderall-
1. ADHD
ADHD is a condition that usually appears in childhood or early adolescence. Characteristic symptoms include hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and difficulty paying attention.
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.
Adderall increases the availability of dopamine in the brain, helping alleviate ADHD symptoms.
2. Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that causes the following symptoms:
• excessive daytime sleepiness
• sleep attacks, in which a person experiences sudden overwhelming sleepiness
• hallucinations
• sleep paralysis
• disrupted night time sleep
• cataplexy, or sudden muscle weakness that occurs in response to strong emotion
Narcolepsy may stem from the death of a particular type of brain cell. These cells produce the chemical hypocretin, which is essential for regulating the sleeping and waking cycle.
Stimulant medications, such as Adderall, boost the levels of a brain chemical called norepinephrine, which helps promote wakefulness.
Taking stimulants at the start of the day can promote daytime wakefulness, which may also help a person sleep better at night.
• Dosage
The dosage depends on which condition Adderall is treating and the age of the person taking it.
I. As a treatment for ADHD
The FDA do not recommend Adderall for children under 3 years of age.
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.
For children aged 6 years or above, the recommended starting dosage is 5 mg once or twice per day. The doctor may increase the daily dose by 5 mg each week until they find a dosage that works.
For adults with ADHD, the starting dosage of Adderall is 5 mg once or twice per day. If necessary, a doctor may then increase the daily dose by 5 mg at weekly intervals.
The recommended maximum daily dose (MDD) for adults with ADHD is 40 mg.
II. As a treatment for narcolepsy
Although it is rare, narcolepsy can sometimes occur in children under the age of 12 years.
For children 6–12 years in age, a doctor may prescribe Adderall at an initial dosage of 5 mg per day. They may increase the daily dose by 5 mg each week, stopping when they find the optimal dosage.
For children and adults aged 12 years and above, the FDA recommend a starting dosage of 10 mg per day. A doctor may raise the daily dose by 10 mg each week if necessary.
The MDD for adults with narcolepsy is 60 mg per day. 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.
Adderallis a prescription medication that contains the stimulants amphetamine anddextroamphetamine. These drugs can be effective in treating the symptoms of ADHD and narcolepsy.
A doctorwill not prescribe Adderall without first taking a detailed medical history tobe sure that a person has the correct diagnosis.
Adderallcan cause a range of side effects. It may not be suitable for people withcertain medical conditions.
People whoare taking Adderall should talk to a doctor if they have concerns about theside effects or risks of the drug. The doctor may adjust the dosage or recommend an alternative medication if necessary.
