What makes adderall

Inappropriate use can lead to many serious side effects, including:. Some people who take Adderall may experience feelings of being energetic, focused, excited, or self-confident. Feelings of euphoria also sometimes occur. These effects are more likely when the medication is misused or abused.

Headache is one of the most common side effects of Adderall. In some studies, headache occurred in up to 26 percent of people who took Adderall XR. This side effect may decrease with continued use of the drug. Nausea is a common side effect of Adderall.

In some studies, nausea occurred in 5 percent to 8 percent of people taking Adderall XR. Men who abuse amphetamines such as Adderall can experience erectile dysfunction as well as increases or decreases in sexual desire.

Constipation is a common side effect of Adderall. In some studies, constipation occurred in 2 percent to 4 percent of people who took Adderall XR.

Some people who take Adderall have reported hair loss. Symptoms of psychosis , including hallucinations, agitation, or disordered thinking, are a rare side effect of Adderall.

In some cases, these symptoms have occurred in people taking typical, recommended doses of Adderall. Symptoms of psychosis are more likely to occur in people who have a history of psychosis before they start taking Adderall. If you have this side effect while taking Adderall, talk with your doctor right away. You may need to stop taking Adderall. Adderall XR commonly causes dry mouth in up to 35 percent of people who take it. Some people who take Adderall report increased sweating. This seems to occur in about 2 percent to 4 percent of people taking Adderall XR.

Insomnia , or trouble sleeping, is one of the most common side effects of Adderall. As much as 27 percent of people who take Adderall XR can have insomnia. If you do, it might mean that you have a heart condition. Fatigue may occur in 2 percent to 4 percent of people who take Adderall XR in commonly prescribed dosages.

Fatigue may be more common in people who misuse or abuse Adderall, especially in higher doses. Also, people who have become dependent on Adderall can experience extreme fatigue if they stop taking the drug. Some children can have slightly slowed growth in height and weight while taking Adderall. This is usually temporary, and growth typically catches up over time. In some cases, Adderall can temporarily cause your pupils — the black centers of your eyes — to dilate become bigger.

However, for people with glaucoma , this effect could worsen their condition. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.

Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs. If you miss a dose in the morning, take it as soon as you can. When possible, avoid taking makeup doses in the late afternoon or evening because this can cause problems falling asleep at bedtime. You might need to use this drug long term.

From time to time during your treatment, your doctor may check whether you need to keep taking it. If symptoms do return, you may need to keep taking the medication. Talk with your doctor before stopping this medication. If you stop taking it, the symptoms of your condition may return.

You may also develop withdrawal symptoms. These can include:. Adderall has been approved to treat two conditions. Adderall tablet is also approved to treat narcolepsy. It can help reduce daytime sleepiness in people with this condition. This is called off-label use. It may also be used to treat depression in people who have both ADHD and depression. Some people who take Adderall or similar stimulant medication along with antidepressant medication have improved depression symptoms.

However, taking stimulants with antidepressants can increase the risk of side effects. Talk with your doctor before combining Adderall and any antidepressant medication.

Adderall or similar stimulant medications are sometimes prescribed off-label for people with anxiety , especially for those who have both ADHD and anxiety. Some research suggests that combining stimulant medication with antidepressants might improve symptoms of ADHD and anxiety. Adderall and other stimulants are sometimes prescribed off-label for treating symptoms of depression in people with bipolar disorder. In some cases, this type of misuse of Adderall can lead to abuse of the drug.

Adderall can cause a loss of appetite. Because of this side effect, some people misuse Adderall as a weight loss aid. Adderall is often misused by people without ADHD to increase focus, concentration, and endurance when studying.

This occurs especially often with college students. In addition, it could worsen memory. Adderall tablets are approved for treating ADHD in children ages 3 years and older. Adderall tablets are also approved for treating narcolepsy in children ages 6 years and older.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor to learn more about other medications that may work well for you. Adderall belongs to a class of medications called stimulants. Drugs in this class are usually considered the first choice of medications for treating ADHD.

Other stimulants that are options for treating ADHD include:. Some people also use herbs and dietary supplements to treat ADHD. For most of these supplements, there is very little research showing that they work, or research findings are inconsistent. Examples of these supplements include:. Despite these similarities, there are some differences between the drugs that might make you prefer one over the other. Vyvanse is approved for treating ADHD and binge eating disorder.

Vyvanse is also used off-label to treat narcolepsy. Adderall comes in two forms: an immediate-release tablet Adderall and an extended-release capsule Adderall XR. Vyvanse is available as a delayed-release capsule and a chewable tablet, both of which are taken once daily. The chewable tablet may be a good option for those who have a hard time swallowing pills.

However, individual people may respond better to one over the other. Because Adderall and Vyvanse are very similar medications, they also have similar side effects and drug interactions.

Both medications can cause psychological and physical dependence and can be misused or abused. However, Vyvanse may be less likely to be misused. This is because Adderall has a more immediate and intense effect when taken, which might be attractive to people who want to misuse it.

The costs of brand-name versions of Adderall and Vyvanse are similar. However, Adderall is also available in a generic form, while Vyvanse is not.

The FDA has determined that the patent for Vyvanse is valid until It will be at least until then before a generic for Vyvanse is available.

Generic drugs are typically less expensive than brand-name drugs. Also, abruptly stopping the medication can cause depression, fatigue and sleep problems. There is a rising trend of college students abusing Adderall and similar drugs, like Ritalin, to perform better on tests and papers. Marc J. Romano also noted that individuals often report using Adderall when drinking alcohol to offset the effects of the latter drug. They feel that they do not get as drunk as they would when taking Adderall.

Individuals may drink more alcohol when taking Adderall, though, which can result in serious impairment, including death from alcohol poisoning. This medication should not be sold or shared; doing so is not only dangerous, but also illegal.

There is evidence that abuse of this drug may be related to an increase in emergency room visits involving prescription stimulants. A study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that nonmedical use of Adderall by adults had gone up by Chronic abuse is marked by severe rash, insomnia, irritability and personality changes. The most severe symptom of abuse is psychosis, which is often clinically indistinguishable from schizophrenia , according to the FDA.

There are many options available for treating this addiction, such as therapy and outpatient rehab. Contact a treatment provider to find Adderall addiction treatment today. After graduation, he decided to pursue his passion of writing and editing. All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

Theresa is also a Certified Professional Life Coach and volunteers at a local mental health facility helping individuals who struggle with homelessness and addiction. Theresa is a well-rounded clinician with experience working as a Primary Addiction Counselor, Case Manager and Director of Utilization Review in various treatment centers for addiction and mental health in Florida, Minnesota, and Colorado. She also has experience with admissions, marketing, and outreach.

As a proud recovering addict herself, Theresa understands first-hand the struggles of addiction. There is no limit to what Theresa is willing to do to make a difference in the field of Addiction! Annandale, VA. View Center. Kennett Square, PA. Milford, DE. Galloway, NJ. Philadelphia, PA. Williamsburg, PA. Atlantic City, NJ. Allenwood, PA. Shickshinny, PA. Laurel, PA. New Brunswick, NJ.

Henryville, PA. Waymart, PA. New York City, NY. Millerton, PA. Calverton, NY. Call Chatigny is board-certified in child, adolescent and adult psychiatry, a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and is the medical director of behavioral health with Lee Physician Group.

Her treatment interests include emergency psychiatry, treatment resistant depression, complex psychopharmacology, and substance use disorders. Editor's Note: This blog was updated Feb. What is Adderall? A Doctor Can Help Adderall is not available without a prescription. Adderall for adults Adderall helps people diagnosed with ADHD by improving their focus and concentration since it is a direct stimulant on the central nervous system.

The symptoms of ADHD in children change over time, especially as they enter puberty.