8 FAQs About Adderall for Adults (and Other Common ADHD Medications)
Key takeaways:
Stimulants, such as Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts), are the most commonly used medications to treat ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) in adults.
Prescription stimulants have been thoroughly studied and are generally well tolerated. Still, they have potential side effects, including raised blood pressure, restlessness, and erectile dysfunction.
Stimulants like Adderall are controlled substances that can lead to dependence and addiction. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of prescription stimulants before taking them.
Table of contents
ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) affects roughly 3% to 6% of adults. And many adults take medication to help treat their ADHD. In fact, about 1 in 3 adults with ADHD in the U.S. turn to medication to manage their symptoms.
Many medication options are available to treat ADHD. Stimulants — like Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) and methylphenidate (Ritalin) — are some of the most commonly prescribed.
Despite their widespread use, if you’re taking a stimulant, you should try to be informed about it — just like any other medication you take. Below, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Adderall and other stimulants for adults with ADHD.
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1. What is Adderall used for in adults?
Adderall is FDA approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy (daytime sleepiness) in adults. But Adderall isn’t the only stimulant available for adults.
There are two categories of stimulant medications that treat ADHD. They are:
Amphetamines: Adderall and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
Methylphenidate: Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate ER), and Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)
Ritalin is also FDA approved to treat narcolepsy, and Vyvanse is approved to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
2. How do Adderall and other common stimulants work?
Stimulants like Adderall raise the amount of at least two key chemicals in the brain — norepinephrine and dopamine. These chemicals are thought to play an important role in managing attention and mood.
Norepinephrine affects attention and stress responses in the brain. Dopamine influences complex thinking and how we react to rewarding experiences. A higher level of these chemicals in the body can lead to increased alertness and attention.
3. What are the side effects of Adderall and other common stimulants in adults?
In general, prescription stimulants are well-tolerated by adults. But like all medications, side effects are possible. For example, high blood pressure and trouble sleeping can set in. And Adderall can even cause hair loss in certain cases, though it’s rare.
Possible short-term side effects of Adderall include:
Racing heart
High blood pressure
Anger, restlessness, or irritability
Weight loss
Hair loss
There are some more serious potential short-term side effects, too. Seizures and serious heart problems are two examples.
And there are some serious potential long-term side effects. Adderall has been linked to worsening heart problems, dementia, and mental health issues. These long-term side effects are not as well studied, so we need more data before we can say just how serious these risks are.
There’s also the risk of dependence or addiction with long-term use of Adderall. We’ll talk more about this later.
4. When is the best time to take Adderall?
The best time to take Adderall is generally in the morning or early afternoon. Since Adderall can cause trouble sleeping if taken later in the day, you should avoid late evening or nighttime doses. Be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for how and when to take Adderall.
For ADHD, Adderall is usually taken once in the morning when you wake up, and additional doses may be taken 4 to 6 hours apart. But you shouldn’t take more than three doses per day. The extended-release version of Adderall (Adderall XR) should be taken once daily in the morning.
For narcolepsy, Adderall should be taken when you first wake up. Then it can be taken every 4 to 6 hours for up to three doses per day. An early afternoon dose in addition to the morning dose may help control daytime sleepiness.
5. Can you take Adderall and other prescription stimulants during pregnancy?
Product labeling for stimulants — including Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse — state that these medications shouldn’t be taken during pregnancy unless the benefit outweighs the risks.
Taking prescription stimulants during pregnancy may raise the risk of negative effects on the baby. But severe ADHD during pregnancy can have negative consequences, too. It can affect an expecting mother's daily functions if not treated.
What does the research say?
One study looked at close to 5,000 women who took a stimulant to treat their ADHD while pregnant. Compared to women who didn’t take a stimulant, there was a higher risk of having high blood pressure and protein in the urine (preeclampsia).
And continuing to take a stimulant later in pregnancy was linked to a greater chance of an early delivery (preterm labor). Though, overall, the risk is extremely low. In fact, the researchers suggested that women with severe ADHD could potentially keep taking their stimulant medication during pregnancy.
But in another study, which looked at over 350,000 pregnancies, taking methylphenidate was linked to a higher risk of heart defects in babies.
If you take prescription stimulants, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should continue them during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the pros and cons of taking these medications while pregnant.
6. Is Adderall bad for your heart?
In adults without cardiovascular disease (heart disease), the chances of Adderall causing new heart problems is low. But if you have existing heart problems, taking Adderall or other prescription stimulants is more risky. This is because changes in blood pressure or heart rate can be dangerous if you already have heart problems.
If you have a heart condition — like an abnormal heart rhythm (e.g., atrial fibrillation) — talk to your healthcare provider before taking Adderall. They’ll help you weigh the risks and benefits.
Anyone taking Adderall will likely be monitored for changes in blood pressure and heart rate during their treatment. If you take Adderall and experience chest pain or loss of consciousness, seek emergency help as soon as possible.
7. Are stimulant medications addictive?
Potentially. Amphetamines and methylphenidate are controlled substances. These medications have a higher chance of causing dependence or addiction than other medications. They also have the potential to cause a “high” feeling.
Dependence is a chemical change in the brain that can happen when you use certain substances over time. If your body is dependent on a medication like a stimulant, it means your brain needs it to stay in balance. But dependence is different from addiction.
Addiction is a long-term condition. When addicted, you may continue using a substance despite the high chances of something bad happening. Addiction can cause difficulties with your health and relationships. Taking more than the prescribed amount of Adderall, or for any reason other than why it's prescribed, is more likely to lead to addiction.
In general, long-acting ADHD stimulants are generally less likely to cause dependence than short-acting ones. Long-acting medications are released into the blood slowly. This helps avoid the high that can occur when a medication is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
Adderall withdrawal symptoms
Adderall dependence can also lead to withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it abruptly. These symptoms might include:
Depression
Mood changes
Slowed movements
Greater appetite than usual
Feeling more drowsy than usual
Always talk to your healthcare provider before you stop taking Adderall. They can help you stop taking it safely over time to avoid some of these withdrawal effects.
8. Are there alternatives to Adderall for adults with ADHD?
Yes. Stimulants like Ritalin, Vyvanse, and Concerta can also be prescribed to adults with ADHD. Focalin is another alternative.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is also FDA approved for adults with ADHD. This medication is considered the main non-stimulant option for treating ADHD in adults. This also means it’s not a controlled substance, but it does have other risks. Nausea, dry mouth, and appetite changes are frequently reported with atomoxetine.
The bottom line
Stimulants are the most common ADHD medications for adults. There are two stimulant categories: amphetamines, like Adderall, and methylphenidate, like Concerta.
While Adderall for adults is a common and generally effective prescription, all stimulants have potential short- and long-term side effects. Short-term side effects include raised blood pressure and irritability. Long-term side effects include dependence and addiction. Always talk to your healthcare provider about the pros and cons of prescription stimulants for ADHD before trying them.
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References
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