The most important information about Adderall
Do not use Adderall if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take Adderall before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Adderall, or if you have hardened arteries (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. Before taking Adderall, tell your doctor if you have any type of heart problems. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 3 years old without the advice of a doctor.
Long-term use of Adderall can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the child using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.
Adderall is a drug of abuse and may be habit-forming. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. You should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription. Using this medication improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.
What is Adderall
Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant. It affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
Adderall is used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Adderall may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What to discuss with your doctor before taking Adderall
Do not use Adderall if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take Adderall before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Adderall or if you have:
heart disease or moderate to severe high blood pressure (hypertension);
arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries);
overactive thyroid;
glaucoma;
severe anxiety, tension, or agitation; or
if you have 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.
Before using Adderall, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
a congenital heart defect;
high blood pressure;
heart failure, heart rhythm disorder, or recent heart attack;
a personal or family history of mental illness, psychotic disorder, bipolar illness, depression, or suicide attempt;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Adderall, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. It could also cause premature birth, low birth weight, or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes Adderall during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Adderall can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Long-term use of Adderall can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the child using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 3 years old without the advice of a doctor.
How to take Adderall
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
Do not take Adderall in the evening because it may cause sleep problems (insomnia).
Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Adderall.
Store Adderall at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Adderall is a drug of abuse and may be habit-forming. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. You should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription. Using this medication improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.
In case of missing a dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, or if it is already evening, skip the missed dose and take the medicine the next morning. Taking this medicine late in the day can cause sleep problems. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
In case of overdosing
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of Adderall can be fatal.
Symptoms of a Adderall overdose 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. These symptoms may be followed by depression and tiredness. Other overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, uneven heartbeats, feeling light-headed, fainting, seizure (convulsions), or coma.
What to avoid while taking Adderall
Adderall can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Do not take Adderall late in the day. A dose taken too late in the day can cause sleep problems (insomnia).
Avoid drinking fruit juices or taking vitamin C at the same time you take Adderall. These can make your body absorb less of the medicine.
The possible side effects of Adderall
Get emergency medical help if you have any of the
The signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Adderall and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure); or
tremor, restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches).
Continue taking Adderall and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
headache or dizziness;
sleep problems (insomnia);
dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;
diarrhea, constipation;
loss of appetite, weight loss; or
loss of interest in sex, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
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.
The other drugs which will affect Adderall
Before taking Adderall, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
blood pressure medications;
a diuretic (water pill);
cold or allergy medicines (antihistamines);
acetazolamide (Diamox);
chlorpromazine (Thorazine);
ethosuximide (Zarontin);
guanethidine (Ismelin);
haloperidol (Haldol);
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
methenamine (Hiprex, Mandelamine, Urex);
phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet);
reserpine;
sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer); or
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Adderall, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Adderall. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
