Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. Share on Pinterest. Central nervous system. Circulatory and respiratory systems. Digestive system. Integumentary system. Read this next. Coping with the Comedown: Managing Adderall Crash.
Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Dangers of Mixing Adderall and Alcohol. Adderall vs. Ritalin: What's the Difference? Medically reviewed by Lindsay Slowiczek, PharmD. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, two central nervous stimulants that improve focus and reduce impulsivity by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain.
Adderall is not available without a prescription. But we invite you to talk to a doctor about any medication changes or questions about lifestyle, ADHD, or other concerns. Adderall helps people diagnosed with ADHD by improving their focus and concentration since it is a direct stimulant on the central nervous system.
The medication has the same effect on those who do not have ADHD, and it's important to remember that Adderall has side effects such as nervousness, restlessness, headaches, problems sleeping, and more. Adderall withdrawal is also a serious issues, and it is extremely important that adults and children take Adderall under the supervision of a doctor.
ADHD, usually first diagnosed in childhood, is the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder among U. At the same time, epinephrine is ramping up the sympathetic nervous system, putting the body in fight-or-flight mode. This triggers alertness, clarity, and focus, and it also decreases appetite. Unlike pure adrenaline, however, Adderall keeps norepinephrine around in the synapses longer, which enhances and sustains the flight-or-flight response.
Norepinephrine also helps increase focus. These effects come at a cost, however. It also lowers the convulsion threshold, meaning Adderall creates so much activity in the brain that if a person is prone to seizures, the drug makes these much more likely.
Even at normal therapeutic doses, Adderall can exaggerate existing psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression or schizophrenia.
These results can be unpredictable. Adderall is responsible for effects outside the brain as well, and these can happen to anyone, even those taking the drug as prescribed for an approved medical reason.
Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter , a chemical that sends messages between cells. Adderall, a stimulant, is considered a first-choice treatment for ADHD. Stimulants are the best studied and most effective treatments for ADHD. Adderall and Strattera are both available in brand-name and generic versions. The generic name of Strattera is atomoxetine. The brand and generic versions of Strattera usually cost more than the brand and generic versions of Adderall.
Adderall and methylphenidate are both commonly used to treat ADHD. Both are also used off-label for treating similar conditions, such as depression and anxiety , in combination with other medications. The chewable and solution forms of methylphenidate may be good options for those who have trouble swallowing pills. Methylphenidate tablets may work slightly faster than Adderall. However, Adderall works for a slightly longer time than methylphenidate:. Adderall and methylphenidate are very similar medications.
Adderall is a brand-name medication. Methylphenidate is a generic medication. Brand-name Adderall costs more than generic methylphenidate.
However, generic versions of Adderall cost about the same as generic methylphenidate. The exact cost will depend on your insurance. Deciding which medication to use may come down to which is covered by your insurance, the drug form that you prefer, and how your body responds to the medication. Picking the best medication is often a matter of trial and error. Your doctor will guide you through the process of finding the right medication for you.
Consuming alcohol with Adderall can be a dangerous combination for some, especially for those who drink too much. Drinking alcohol while taking Adderall can make you feel less drunk than you really are. This can lead you to drink too much. In addition to other effects, drinking too much may worsen symptoms of ADHD. Consuming alcohol with Adderall can also increase your risk of heart-related side effects such as:. Adderall can interact with several other medications.
It can also interact with certain supplements as well as some foods. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects. Below is a list of medications that can interact with Adderall. Before taking Adderall, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take.
Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Medications that reduce the amount of acid in your stomach can increase the amount of Adderall your body absorbs. This can raise your risk of side effects. Examples of acid-reducing drugs include:. Taking Adderall with MAOIs can increase the risk of dangerous side effects, such as very high blood pressure , chest pain , severe headache , and increased body temperature.
Taking Adderall with medications that increase serotonin in your body can raise your risk of developing serotonin syndrome , a drug reaction that can be dangerous. If you take any of these medications, you may need to start with a lower dosage of Adderall. Taking Adderall with a tricyclic antidepressant can increase the effects of Adderall in your body and increase your risk of heart-related effects and other side effects. Examples of tricyclic antidepressants include:.
Taking Adderall with certain medications that block how the body breaks down Adderall can result in an increased risk of serious side effects, including serotonin syndrome.
If you take these medications, you may need to start with a lower dosage of Adderall. Examples of these medications include:.
Adderall and Xanax alprazolam are sometimes prescribed together, especially for those who have both ADHD and anxiety. Adderall helps improve concentration and focus, while Xanax is calming and can help relieve symptoms of anxiety.
Adderall and Prozac fluoxetine are sometimes prescribed together, especially for people who have both ADHD and other conditions. These conditions include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Adderall helps improve concentration and focus in people with ADHD. Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI antidepressant that can improve symptoms of depression.
These medications should only be taken together if your doctor prescribes them. Combining Adderall and Prozac can increase your risk of developing serotonin syndrome , a drug reaction that can be dangerous.
Adderall and Zoloft sertraline are sometimes prescribed together, especially for people who have both ADHD and other conditions such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI antidepressant that can improve symptoms of depression. Combining Adderall and Zoloft can increase your risk of developing serotonin syndrome , a drug reaction that can be dangerous.
Adderall can interact with certain vitamins, supplements, or herbs you may be taking. Taking vitamin C supplements can make your stomach more acidic and can decrease the amount of Adderall your body absorbs. This can make Adderall less effective. Supplements that affect serotonin can increase your risk of developing serotonin syndrome. Taking Adderall with marijuana cannabis can increase your risk of heart-related side effects.
These include rapid heartbeat , arrhythmia irregular heartbeat , and heart attack. Fruit juices are often acidic and can decrease how much Adderall your body absorbs. Caffeine in foods and beverages such as coffee might add to the stimulant effects of Adderall. This can increase the risk of stimulant-related side effects such as anxiety , nervousness, trouble sleeping, and others. While taking Adderall, you should avoid consuming large amounts of coffee or other drinks that contain caffeine.
Symptoms of overdose can include:. If you think you or your child has taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Treatment of overdose will partly depend on the symptoms you have. In many cases, people who have overdosed will be agitated. Medical personnel may give an injection to calm the person.
In some cases, intravenous fluids may be given. Also, tests may be done to check for heart problems, breathing problems, and oxygen levels.
And medications may be needed for heart problems or seizures if they occur. Drug dependence can occur in people who take Adderall. Prolonged use can cause both psychological and physical dependence.
This can make it difficult to stop taking the medication. In some cases, it can lead to drug abuse and inappropriate usage, resulting in severe side effects. Misuse and abuse of Adderall is a growing epidemic , especially on college campuses. Many college students use Adderall to help them study. The half-life of a medication refers to the time it takes for half of the medication to be inactivated or removed from the body. Half-life is used as a measure of how long the medication will work or stay in the body.
The half-life of Adderall is typically from 9 to 14 hours. Each Adderall tablet or capsule contains two stimulant drugs: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Both drugs cause the body to release increased norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that send messages, or signals, between cells.
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