Adderall/Adderall XR
Adderall Side Effects

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Narcolepsy (recurrent spells of uncontrollable drowsiness and sleep)

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Adderall (mixed salts of a single-entity amphetamine product) typically improves attention span, increases the ability to follow directions, and decreases distractibility among children ages three and older. Adderall may also decrease impulsivity, stubbornness and aggression. Adderall is convenient for patients, parents, and caregivers, because it is effective for most patients when taken once or twice a day. Since it is a different mixture of amphetamine isomers, Adderall may help some individuals when other medications (such as Ritalin) have not proven effective.

Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine is a stimulant and appetite suppressant. It stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain) by increasing the amount of certain chemicals in the body. This increases heart rate and blood pressure and decreases appetite, among other effects.

How Soon Will It Begin To Work?

The effects of Adderall can be felt after a few doses or even after the first dose. Often it takes additional time to achieve the full effect. This may require changes in dosing. Most people can achieve maximum benefit in 3 to 4 weeks.

Are There any Drug Interactions?

Taking more than one medication at a time may cause a negative or harmful reaction. However, never discontinue the use of any medication unless permission is given by your doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter medications like aspirin, herbal remedies, and vitamins. The following section offers some, but not necessarily all, the possible drug interactions.

Do NOT take with MAO Inhibitors; serious, even fatal, interactions can occur. Do NOT take Adderall if you have taken an MAO Inhibitor in the past 14 days; at least 14 days must pass before you can take Adderall. Acidifying agents such as guanethidine, reserpine, and fruit juices can lower absorption of Adderall. Alkalinizing agents such as Diamox (acetazolamide) increase absorption of amphetamines. Tricyclic antidepressants may increase their levels when taken with Adderall. Thorazine (chlorpromazine), lithium, and Haldol (haloperidol) can blunt the effects of Adderall. Adderall increases the effects of norepinephrine.

Other Important Information?

• If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, discuss the potential risks of this or any medication with your doctor.

• Stimulant medications such as Adderall have the potential of being abused; use caution when prescribing or taking this medication.

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities.

• Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine is habit forming. Physical and psychological dependence may occur with the use of this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.

• Do not crush or chew the extended-release form of amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall XR). If swallowing the capsules is difficult, a capsule can be opened and the entire contents sprinkled on a small amount of applesauce. The mixture should be consumed immediately, and not saved for later use. The mixture should be swallowed whole, without chewing the sprinkled beads. The dose of a single capsule should not be divided.

You should not take amphetamine-dextroamphetamine if you . . .

• have heart disease or high blood pressure;

• have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries);

• have glaucoma;

• have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days;

• or · have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have . . .

• thyroid problems;

• an anxiety disorder;

• epilepsy or another seizure disorder;

• or diabetes.

You may not be able to take amphetamine-dextroamphetamine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take amphetamine-dextroamphetamine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take amphetamine-dextroamphetamine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Possible Side Effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking amphetamine-dextroamphetamine and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• an irregular heartbeat or very high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or

• hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or confusion.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take amphetamine-dextroamphetamine and talk to your doctor if you experience . . .

• restlessness or tremor;

• anxiety or nervousness;

• headache or dizziness;

• insomnia;

• dryness of the mouth or an unpleasant taste in the mouth;

• diarrhea or constipation

• impotence or changes in sex drive.

Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine is habit forming. Physical and psychological dependence may occur with the use of this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.