Adderall is among the most commonly prescribed ADHD medications. It’s also a stimulant – considered first-line treatment for ADHD. But these factors don’t mean that physicians can “play favorites” with it or with stimulants as a class. Those who do don’t have an empirical basis for doing so and are gambling with your chances of success.
Recommended dosages
- If you have serious side effects from Adderall, call your doctor right away.
- The dosage of Adderall or Adderall XR your doctor prescribes depends on various factors.
- Adderall is approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ages 3 years and older.
- (Misuse is sometimes referred to as “abuse,” but this is an outdated term.) With misuse, a drug is taken differently from how it was prescribed.
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Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Adderall. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number. Like most drugs, Adderall may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Adderall may cause.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurobiological disorder exhibited by difficulty maintaining attention, as well as hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants are the first line of treatment for ADHD. With the increase in number of adults on CNS stimulants, the question that arises is how well do we understand the long-term cardiovascular effects of these drugs.
This would include a baseline ECG if an arrhythmia was suspected (eg, if this was a sudden unexplained death in view of the potential for inherited arrhythmia). In the event that there was a cardiac concern arising from this assessment, the use of stimulants would have to be considered music therapy for addiction with caution, pending a cardiology referral. The dosage of Adderall or Adderall XR your doctor prescribes depends on various factors.
Other warnings
In addition, tell your doctor if you’re taking any medications. This is important to do because some medications can interact with Adderall. In some cases, misuse of Adderall may also lead to addiction (feeling unable to stop taking a drug, even though it may be causing harm). If your child is taking Adderall, their doctor will monitor mary jane drug meaning their height and weight during their treatment. If the child’s growth seems to be affected, their doctor may suggest taking a break from Adderall treatment.
Long-Term Side Effects of Adderall
Specifically, it may cause growth delays in children who take the drug long term. However, it’s not known how long this side effect lasts. You can read more about it in the “Side effects in children” section above. In clinical trials, females experienced changes in libido (sexual desire). Males also experienced sexual side effects in clinical trials. These included erectile dysfunction (an inability to have or maintain an erection) and frequent or long lasting erections.
Serious side effects of Adderall can include heart attack and stroke. Adderall can lead to sudden death in people with preexisting heart conditions. Adderall can cause side effects that impact your mental health. These side effects may include mood changes, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or depression. Because of this games for substance abuse groups risk, doctors will carefully weigh the benefits versus risks before prescribing Adderall if you have a mental health condition. Both Adderall and Adderall XR contain dextroamphetamine and amphetamine salts.
A 2023 study found a link between long-term use of ADHD medicines (including Adderall) and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, though the risk was quite small. The FDA warns that patients who have serious heart problems should avoid Adderall. As a stimulant, Adderall can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, and cause you to breathe harder. If you take too much of it, you could put your heart and your health at risk.
