adhd - Drugs for ADHD

adderall is a mixed salt amphetamine approved by the FDA for treatment of attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It was previously marketed as a diet pill under the name 'Obetral'. Mixed salt amphetamines have been studied and used clinically to treat ADHD since the 1930’s. adderall is made by Richwood Pharmaceuticals.

The dosage of Adderall tablets is roughly equivalent to a comparable dose of dexedrine. Adderall tablets consist of equal amounts of Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine, with both short and long-acting preparations. The therapeutic effect is more subtle and smooth than other preparations and the length of action is 6-9 hours. Maximum blood level occurs at about 3 hours for Adderall tablets.
 

Adderall XR

Adderall XR is a once a day version of this stimulant that works for 7-12 hours. It has a lower abuse potential than tablets because it takes 6 hours to reach maximum blood level as compared to 3 hours for Adderall tablets. Thus it does not produce nearly the rush. Amphetamine abuse potential correlates highly with how quickly it acts. It begins acting in 60-90 minutes.

How to take Adderall XR

Do not crush, chew, break, or open the capsule. Swallow it whole because it is designed to release the amphetamine and dextroamphetamine slowly. Breaking or opening the pill would cause the stimulant to be released too quickly. Drink a full glass of water with the Adderall.

If is is hard for your child to swallow Adderall XR whole, the capsule may be opened and the contents sprinkled into soft food such as applesauce or yogurt and taken immediately. Do not drink fruit juices or take vitamin C with any form of amphetamine or dextroamphetamine. These can may reduce the absorption of the stimulant.

Taking amphetamine and dextroamphetamine late in the day may cause insomnia.

Adderall XR comes in 5, 10, 15, 30, 25, and 30 mg capsules. All strengths cost the same.  

Adderall Side Effects

Side effects include insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, dizziness, headache, nervousness, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

Long-term use of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can slow your child's growth.

Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can be abused and become habit-forming. Keep a record of how many pills have been used. 

Serious Adderall Side Effects

Serious side effects can include vomiting, stomach pain, fever, unusual weakness or tiredness, mental/mood changes, unusually fast heartbeat, blurred vision, tics, tremors, chest pain. Signs of an allergic reaction include hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Adderall may aggravate tics.

Determining the cause of Adderall XR side effects

If your child's side effects peak around 6 hours after taking it, it is likely that your child is on too large a dose and it needs to be reduced.

If side effects such as irritability, tiredness and fatigue occurs more than 6 hours after last dose, the child may be suffering a rebound effect because the adderall is wearing off. The child might benefit from a longer acting stimulant or a second dose later.

Adderall drug interactions

Taking MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) within the past 14 days will produce serious, life-threatening side effects: that is if you take amphetamine and dextroamphetamine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Counter indications

Counter indications include arteriosclerosis, heart disease, moderate to severe high blood pressure (hypertension), overactive thyroid, glaucoma, severe anxiety or agitation, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction. Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and adolescents with serious heart problems or congenital heart defects. 

Adderall is an FDA pregnancy category C drug. Thus, it may be harmful to an unborn baby or cause premature birth, low birth weight, or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes Adderall during pregnancy. Adderall can also pass into breast milk which may harm a nursing baby.
 

Overdose symptoms:

An overdose of any amphetamine or dextroamphetamine, such as Adderall, can be fatal. Symptoms include restlessness, tremor, muscle twitches, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine, depression and tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, uneven heartbeats, feeling light-headed, fainting, seizure (convulsions), or coma.