Adderall

Any person who is prescribed to take Adderall should do so only as directed by the physician. Not following the dosing instructions can result in serious consequences. The stimulant drug is possible to overdose on and suitable precautions should be taken to avoid taking more than the recommended limit or become dependent on the drug. In case of overdose, the individual should be provided emergency medical attention without any delay. This can also be done by calling the poison helpline and getting instructions on what to do. Pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant should consult with the doctor before consuming Adderall. The medication can affect the baby in many ways like premature birth, withdrawal symptoms, low birth weight, and such. It is a proven drug that is used in the successful management of ADHD symptoms. However, there are always risks of developing side effects as with any medication. Following the doctor’s instructions and taking the drug only as prescribed will help to avoid any kind of unwanted side effects. Before taking Adderall, talk to the doctor if you have any concerns regarding the potential side effects or anything related to the drug itself so you can use it safely.

What is Adderall ?

Adderall is the FDA approved the medication for treating ADHD and Narcolepsy condition. It can also be used for various purposes. Basically, it works by stimulating impulses in the brain and induces hyperactivity. Adderall is being manufactured by Barr Pharmaceuticals and ten different companies hold the patent for producing this medication in original form.

Ingredients of Adderall

Adderall is composed of four major salts which act as CNS stimulant together. They are amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, amphetamine aspartate monohydrate, dextroamphetamine saccharate in an equal proposition. Each authentic Adderall tablet contains 25% of each active ingredient. The average base equivalence of amphetamine in 5 mg tablet is 3.13mg.

The other inactive chemical compounds are colloidal silicon dioxide, Magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and Lactitol. The Proposition of these non-active ingredients can be varied with manufacturers.

What forms does Adderall come in?

Adderall medication comes in two different forms

• Immediate release form - IR

• Extended-release form - XR

IR - The immediate release form is the original form of medication that can last up to 4-6 hours due to its short-acting effects.

One it comes only in the Tablet form.

The available IR dose of Adderall is 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, 15mg, 20mg, and 30mg.

The cost of IR is low on comparing with XR form.

Within 30-60 minutes after the consumption of Adderall IR, it starts working and the effects last for 6 hours maximum.

XR – The extended-release form is the composition of 50 % of IR and 50 % of delayed release. It can elicit up to 12 hours.

It comes only in capsule format.

The available extended release dosages of Adderall are 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20 mg, 25mg and 30mg.

One can take only one capsule daily for controlled use of this drug.

The Adderall XR form will also kick starts it’s working within 30 – 60 minutes but it basically works by breaking of 50 % of immediate release form followed by breaking of delayed release chemicals, this nature of breaking of chemicals make XR form of this pill to last for longer periods.

Adderall drug identification

One can identify this pill with varying shapes, size and color. It depends on the different dosage of Adderall medication. Below you can get the pill identification detail of each dose.

1. Adderall 5mg is round shaped pill with white color. Sometimes, the color might change from white to half white.

2. 7.5mg pill is an oval shaped blue tablet

3. 10mg pill is blue colored round shaped pill

4. 12.5mg pill is peach colored in round shape with a flat faced edge.

5. 15mg pill is a peach colored tablet in the oval shape

6. Adderall 20mg & 30mg is peach colored in a round shaped tablet.

And each tablet is imprinted with “AD” along with the corresponding dose. For example, a 30mg pill can be identified with the imprint of "AD" on one side and 30 on the other side.

The extended-release form will be available in the form of a capsule.

The direction of Administration:

It should be taken orally with the help of water. Crushing and chewing of the pill should be avoided. Taking out the pellets out of XR capsule is not safe.

The other routes of administration are insufflation, sublingual as well as rectal. But one should confirm the correct way to consume Adderall by consulting with your doctor.

Information for ADHD treatment with Adderall

ADHD can be treated with Adderall with proper dosage recommendation. 2.5 mg of IR form of Adderall can be taken by 3 to 5 years of children daily. The medical strength can be increased to 2.5 mg weekly if required.

For 6 to 17 years old children, 5 mg can be taken as initial dosage. For the severe stage of ADHD, the maximum dose of 40mg can be taken in divided dose.

The extended-release form can also be given for ADHD children under two conditions,

1) Switching from other medication

2) Starting off treatment with Adderall

For 6 -12 years, 5 to 10mg can be given once in the morning as a daily dose.

For 13-17 years, ER of 10mg can be given once in a day.

For the treatment of Narcolepsy:

Narcolepsy, the sleeping disorder can be treated with Adderall when consumed in the proper dosage.

For 12 years and above: 10mg of Adderall can be taken as initial dose for 1 or 2 times daily

For 6 to 11 years: 5mg can be taken once in a day.

Note: All these dosage information will vary with individuals, the above given are the commonly recommended dosage strength classified based on age.

Guide to take Adderall

• One can take Adderall in prescribed dosage strength on a daily basis. It is important to maintain the regular time interval between each dose.

• If you forgot to take this pill, it is better to skip that particular dose of the medication.

• Seek for the doctor’s help if you overdose with this medication. The symptom of overdosing includes restlessness, muscle pain, stomach pain, confusion, and fainting.

• You should regularly visit a doctor to know the progress of Adderall medication in treating your disorder.

• Take this medication only if doctor prescribe you otherwise it would cause drug abusive if taken in an unethical way.

• The medication pack should not be placed in open space. It should be kept away from moisture and direct sunlight.

Who should not take Adderall?

A person with any of the below health condition should not take Adderall. In rare cases, the doctor will prescribe along with necessary precautions.

• Hyperthyroidism,

• History of addiction or drug abuse,

• Any cardiovascular disease,

• Recent administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors

• Any surgical history,

• An alcohol addict.

A person who is taking any medication which contains Lithium or nitrate content is also warned about Adderall consumption.

Those who are undertaking medication for below condition should not take Adderall as this might cause drug interaction.

• Depression,

• Heart disease,

• Blood pressure,

• Seizure

After effect of Adderall

In some people, Adderall medication will help in treating ADHD or Narcolepsy but left them with some of the adverse effects.

Some might encounter hallucination, aggression, chest pain, muscle twitches, change in vision, weight loss, sweating, vomiting.