Adderall XR is a first-choice medication used to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It contains the extended-release (XR) forms of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine salts. This medication is typically taken once per day and lasts throughout the day, but it's common to have trouble sleeping and a loss of appetite. It's a controlled substance because of its high risk of misuse and dependency.
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Adderall XR is a stimulant medication. It's not exactly known how Adderall XR helps to improve attention and focus, but it's thought to work by raising the levels of chemicals in your brain called norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.
Adderall XR can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: History of substance or alcohol use disorder | Taking more Adderall XR than prescribed | Suddenly stopping Adderall XR
Adderall XR has a risk of misuse and dependence. Misuse is when a medication is used differently than how it's prescribed. Misusing Adderall XR raises your risk for serious side effects such as high heart rate, high blood pressure, aggressive behavior, and even thoughts of hurting yourself. In addition, over time, you can become physically dependent on Adderall XR to function normally. This is usually related to having withdrawal symptoms like irritability, nightmares, and sleep problems if you take the medication for a long time and then suddenly stop. Take the medication exactly as prescribed to you. Don't change the dose or how often you take it without talking to your provider first.
Risk factors: History of heart problems
There have been reports of sudden death, stroke, and heart attack in people who took Adderall XR at usual doses. Adderall XR can also raise your blood pressure and heart rate. Tell your provider if you have a history of heart problems before starting Adderall XR to make sure it's safe for you to take. Your provider will check for heart problems before starting treatment with this medication. Contact your provider if you experience unexplained fainting, chest pain with physical activity, or irregular heartbeat while you're taking Adderall XR.
Risk factors: History of psychotic episodes, bipolar disorder, or other mental health or mood-related conditions
Taking a stimulant like Adderall XR can cause mental health problems such as hallucinations (seeing things that aren't really there), aggressive behavior, unclear thinking, and mania. This medication can worsen mood-related problems that you already have, but these changes in mood or behavior can also happen even if you haven't had these problems before. If you develop these mood- and behavior-related symptoms while taking Adderall XR, talk to your healthcare provider right away because you might have to stop taking it.
In studies, stimulants like Adderall XR slowed the growth rate (both in height and weight) in children. Your child's provider will track your child's growth progress closely. If they suspect slowed growth, they might pause or stop your child's Adderall XR treatment. Talk to your child's provider if you have concerns.
Stimulants like Adderall XR can cause blurred vision and other vision problems. Let your provider know if you notice any changes with your vision.
Risk factors: History of seizures
Although rare, stimulants like Adderall XR can cause you to have seizures more easily, especially if you've have seizures before. If this happens, get medical help right away. You'll likely have to stop taking Adderall XR.
Adderall XR might be linked to poor blood circulation problems, such as Raynaud's phenomenon. People with Raynaud's phenomenon can experience episodes of poor blood flow to the fingers and toes, which can cause the skin to turn pale and to feel cold, numb, or painful. If this happens, symptoms are typically mild. But rarely, it can cause sores or ulcers in more serious cases. Let your healthcare provider know if you notice symptoms of circulation problems, such as bouts of numbness or pain in your fingers or toes. Your provider might need to lower your dose of Adderall XR or ask you to consider a different medication.
Risk factors: Taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) 14 days before starting Adderall XR | Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels in your brain
Serotonin syndrome is a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition where there's too much serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the chemicals in your brain responsible for your mood.
Your risk for this condition goes up if you use Adderall XR with other medications that affect serotonin levels, such as antidepressants (e.g., sertraline (Zoloft), duloxetine (Cymbalta)), MAOIs (e.g., phenelzine (Nardil)), linezolid (Zyvox), and certain migraine medications (e.g., sumatriptan (Imitrex)). Make sure your provider knows about all the medications you take or plan to take (including over-the-counter medications and supplements) so they can check that your medications are safe for you.
Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, and confusion. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Adderall XR can interact with a lot of commonly used medications. Adderall XR counteracts (works against) the effects of many blood pressure medications, including prazosin (Minipress) and beta blockers like propranolol (Inderal) and metoprolol (Lopressor). This means these blood pressure medications might not work as well for you if you take them with Adderall XR.
Additionally, avoid taking Adderall XR with other medications that affect serotonin levels to lower the risk of serotonin syndrome. Also don't take Adderall XR with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) because of the risk of severely high blood pressure and serotonin syndrome.
Make sure your healthcare provider and pharmacist know about all the medications you take (including over-the-counter medications and supplements) before starting Adderall XR. Don't start any new medications while taking Adderall XR without letting them know first.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
First-choice medication for ADHD
Starts working within an hour after taking, and effect lasts up to 12 hours (Adderall XR brand) or 16 hours (Mydayis brand)
Only taken once per day
Capsules can be opened and mixed with applesauce if you have trouble swallowing medications.
Has a risk of misuse and dependency
A controlled medication, so there are special requirements for getting the prescription filled
Dose needs to be raised and lowered slowly to avoid side effects and withdrawal symptoms
Not the best choice for pregnant or breastfeeding females or people with heart conditions
Take Adderall XR daily in the morning to avoid trouble sleeping at night.
Take Adderall XR with or without food. It's best to take it in the same way each day so the medication gets absorbed into your body consistently. Don't eat or drink too many acidic things (e.g., fruit juice, citrus fruits, foods containing vitamin C) because they can also affect medication absorption into the body.
If you're having a hard time swallowing Adderall XR capsules whole, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto applesauce. Make sure to swallow all of the medication and applesauce right away without chewing; don't save it for later use.
Avoid alcohol while taking Adderall XR because it can make your ADHD symptoms worse. This combination can also cause dangerous side effects, including alcohol poisoning and heart problems.
Avoid driving the first few days after you start Adderall XR and after dose changes until you know how this medication affects you. Adderall XR might cause blurry vision and affect how well you see.
Since stimulants like Adderall XR tend to lower appetite and might affect growth in children, make sure your child is eating well. Speak with a provider if you're concerned about your child's nutrition or growth.
Adderall XR might worsen tics and Tourette syndrome. Talk to a provider if you or your child has these problems so they can see if this medication is right for you or your child.
Take Adderall XR exactly as your provider instructed you to. Don't change your dose or suddenly stop taking the medication without talking to your provider first. Doing so can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms, such as daytime sleepiness, irritability, trouble sleeping, and depression. If you want to stop Adderall XR, your provider will give you directions to lower your dose slowly over time before you can completely stop taking it.
Accidentally taking too much Adderall XR can lead to an overdose. Symptoms of an Adderall XR overdose include restlessness, confusion, depression, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real), and fever. Be sure you and your loved ones know how to recognize an overdose and to call 911 if this happens so emergency help can come right away.
Children ages 6 to under 13 years: The typical starting dose is 5 mg to 10 mg by mouth once every day. The maximum daily dose is 30 mg per day.
Children ages 13 to under 18 years old: The typical starting dose is 10 mg by mouth once every day.
Adults: The typical starting dose is 20 mg by mouth every day.
Children ages 13 to under 18 years: The typical starting dose is 12.5 mg by mouth once each day. The maximum daily dose is 25 mg per day.
Adults ages 18 to 55 years old: The typical starting dose is 12.5 mg by mouth once each day. The maximum daily dose is 50 mg per day.
Your provider will adjust your dose of Adderall XR based on how well it's helping your symptoms, if you're having side effects, or if you have severe kidney problems.
Severe allergy to amphetamine-containing products
Certain heart or blood vessel problems, like moderate-to-severe high blood pressure, heart disease, or thickening or hardening of arteries (atherosclerosis)
Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
Feeling agitated or distressed
History of substance use disorder
Currently take or have taken an MAOI, linezolid (Zyvox), or methylene blue (ProvayBlue) in the last 14 days
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children age 6 years and older
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