Description

Adderall

Adderall is a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Also, adderall, a brand name, is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which are central nervous system stimulants. Taking Adderall may help increase the ability to focus, pay attention and control behavior.

In addition, the drug increases the activity of the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Dosage of Adderall

Adderall is available as a tablet and as an extended-release capsule (Adderall XR). Also, doctors typically start patients with a low dose and gradually increase the dose, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The tablet is usually taken two to three times daily and the extended-release capsule is usually taken once daily, according to the NIH.

Side effects

Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine may cause side effects, including:

• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• Headache
• Changes in sex drive or ability
• Dry mouth
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Fast or pounding heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Excessive tiredness
• Slow or difficult speech
• Dizziness or faintness
• Weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• Seizures
• Motor tics or verbal tics
• Believing things that are not true
• Feeling unusually suspicious of others
• Hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
• Mania (frenzied or abnormally excited mood)
• Aggressive or hostile behavior
• Changes in vision or blurred vision
• Fever
• Blistering or peeling skin
• Rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Swelling of the eyes, face, tongue or throat
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Hoarseness (abnormal voice changes)