Adderall

Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. These central nervous system stimulants primarily increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. 

Adderall is most commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, but it is also used to treat narcolepsy, a condition that affects people’s ability to wake and sleep.

Some medical providers prescribe Adderall for unapproved, off-label uses, including anxiety, depression, bipolar depression and weight loss. 

Adderall increases activity in the central nervous system and stimulates the release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). 

Amphetamines bring balance to people with ADHD who tend to have lower levels of dopamine, the key chemical in the brain’s reward center. The result is improved focus, higher energy levels and less fidgeting, impulsivity, restlessness and aggression.

Adderall’s ability to stimulate the brain also helps people with narcolepsy stay awake.

If your doctor decides Adderall is right for you, they will determine the lowest effective dosage for your specific needs. Adderall comes in regular dosage and extended-release form, called Adderall XR.

Adderall comes in the following dosages: 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg.

Adderall XR comes in the following dosages: 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg and 30 mg. Adderall XR isn’t approved for treating narcolepsy.

Every patient’s body chemistry is different, so your doctor may need to adjust the dose over time.

Adderall Dosage Recommendation for ADHD

Your doctor will usually prescribe regular Adderall or Adderall XR at a lower dose, usually once or twice daily for adults for regular Adderall. Because Adderall XR is a longer-lasting form, it is often prescribed just once a day.

Both Adderall and Adderall XR capsules may be taken whole, with or without food. 

You can safely open Adderall XR capsules and sprinkle the drug beads onto applesauce or yogurt for immediate consumption. However, if you open the Adderall XR capsules, do not chew and destroy the drug beads, as it will ruin the extended-release mechanism.

Use Adderall at the same time each day to help get the most benefits from it, and make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions carefully, including any dosage adjustments they make.

Adderall Dosage Recommendation for Narcolepsy

Adderall is not recommended for treating narcolepsy in children under age 6, and Adderall XR is not approved for treating narcolepsy.

For children and adults ages 12 and above, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends a starting dosage of 10 mg per day, divided and given in two doses.

For children ages 6-12, their physician may begin with a dose of 5 mg per day, increasing it by 5 mg per week until they reach the optimum dose.

Your doctor may recommend against taking Adderall if you have any risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Your doctor will test your blood pressure and heart rate before starting this medication. Tell them if anyone in your family has heart problems.

Also discuss any family history of mental illness with your doctor, as this may be a risk factor for adverse outcomes. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant before starting Adderall.

It is essential that your doctor checks the patient’s progress at regular intervals to make sure Adderall is working correctly.

There are more than 180 medications known to interact with Adderall. It can increase the potency of tricyclic antidepressants and lead to cardiovascular side effects. 

Antacids increase absorption of Adderall and should be avoided. Gastrointestinal acidifiers like vitamin C, fruit juice and others can lower absorption of Adderall.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any allergies to medications, all prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking and any vitamins or herbal products you are using before starting Adderall.

The drug may also interact with certain food and beverages. For example, you should avoid alcohol while taking Adderall because it can lead to high blood pressure, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or, in severe cases, death.

There are alternatives to Adderall, including other prescription medications, which may have similar effects on the brain and may be more suited to your specific needs. If you experience Adderall side effects, for example, your doctor may recommend alternatives with fewer unwanted effects.

Alternatives to Adderall include stimulant and nonstimulant medications.

Stimulants for ADHD

Stimulants increase the brain chemicals that regulate brain activity. They include amphetamines, dextroamphetamines, lisdexamfetamine (Vyanse) and methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta).

Lisdexamfetamine is a long-acting stimulant that is converted into an active form in the body. Health care providers who are concerned about medication interactions with other ADHD drugs may prescribe this.

Methylphenidate increases levels of norepinephrine and dopamine. It’s available in several different forms.

Nonstimulants for ADHD

Three main groups of nonstimulant medications are ADHD-specific nonstimulants, blood pressure medications and antidepressants. These options don’t pose the same risk of addiction and don’t tend to cause agitation, sleeplessness or lack of appetite.

ADHD-specific nonstimulants include atomoxetine (Strattera), a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Your doctor may combine it with other medications to control hyperactivity and impulsiveness and to help you focus on specific tasks.

Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv) are other nonstimulant medications that target the part of the brain managing impulsivity and attention.

Drugs for Narcolepsy

For people with narcolepsy, taking stimulants such as amphetamines (Evekeo) or dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Zenzedi, ProCentra) only rarely leads to addiction or abuse if taken regularly in appropriate doses.

Modafinil (Provigil) increases brain levels of dopamine, which increases alertness. It’s popular because it causes relatively few side effects.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) and Armodafinil (Nuvigil) are other stimulants used to treat narcolepsy.