Adderall XR should not be taken if you:
- You have hyperthyroidism or moderate to severe hypertension, or cardiovascular disease.
- You have taken an MAOI in the last 14 days.
Adderall Extended Release (Adderall XR) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant most commonly used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This medication is taken as an oral capsule. It works by affecting norepinephrine, dopamine, and other brain chemicals.
Adderall XR, or the extended-release version of Adderall, is a newer form of Adderall. The first half of the dose is immediately effective, while the second half takes about four hours.
Generic is also known as amphetamine-dextroamphetamine combo XR.
What is the treatment for ADHD in children and adults?
Adderall XR: Uses and Benefits
Adderall XR has FDA approval to treat ADHD. The immediate-release form of Adderall XR is approved for treating narcolepsy. The medication can be prescribed to children aged 6 to 12, adolescents aged 13 to 17, and adults.
Adderall XR shouldn’t be used as the sole treatment option for ADHD. The medication is usually combined with other interventions, such as psychological, educational, or social, to help people learn to cope with ADHD. Before prescribing Adderall XR, your doctor may suggest that you implement those interventions.
Uses Off Label
2 Stimulants, in general, may be used to treat treatment-resistant depression. However, the research on their effectiveness needs to be more conclusive.
These medications can become habit-forming, and they may have risks or contraindications. 4
Adderall XR: What to Know Before You Take it
ADHD will most likely be evaluated before a prescription for Adderall XR is issued. When your child is under 16 and being evaluated for ADHD, the doctor will look for symptoms.
A single test does not diagnose ADHD. The diagnosis is based on a doctor’s evaluation, the patient’s history, and the available medical, educational, psychological, and social resources.
Inattention Symptoms
These are some of the symptoms that a doctor may look out for:
- Listening to what is said but not understanding it
- Making careless errors or not paying attention to their schoolwork, or other tasks
- Losing things is a common problem for people
- Working on a task and struggling to focus on it
- You can easily be distracted
- Trouble following instructions
- Fail to complete schoolwork or chores
- Forgetful – a tendency to forget things
- Feeling hesitant or unwilling to perform tasks that require sustained mental efforts
Diagnosing ADHD
A doctor will need to know if:
- Shows six or more symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity
- First noticed symptoms before the age of 7
- These symptoms have been present for at least six months
- When you notice their symptoms in multiple settings (such as at school and home).
- You may be having difficulty interacting with others or in school.
- Another mental disorder could be the cause of their condition.
The diagnostic criteria for adults and adolescents are different. Five of these symptoms are enough to diagnose a child, but some adult symptoms can look different. Hyperactivity can manifest in adults as reckless driving or fidgeting at meetings. Adults with ADHD are often drawn to jobs that require them to be active and not sit for long periods.
Speak to your doctor regarding all supplements and vitamins you are currently taking. Some drugs may have minor interactions, while others could be outright contraindicated or require careful consideration of whether the benefits outweigh any negatives.
Adderall XR can be prescribed as part of a treatment plan for ADHD. Additional treatment measures include educational, psychological, and social support.
Precautions & Contraindications
People with ADHD can often benefit from non-drug interventions. Medication should only be prescribed if these interventions do not resolve symptoms. The severity and duration of your symptoms may determine whether or not your doctor is willing to prescribe stimulant medications. Overdosing to amphetamines is possible, so only the lowest dose should be prescribed.
Adderall XR is not recommended for everyone.
Adderall XR is not recommended for people with 1
- Advanced arteriosclerosis
- Glaucoma
- History of Agitated States
- History of drug abuse
- Hypersensitivity to stimulants can manifest as severe skin rashes or anaphylaxis (rapid skin swelling).
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypertension ranging from mild to severe
- Cardiovascular disease symptoms
Adderall XR is also to be avoided if, in the past 14 days, you have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Stimulant medication can increase blood pressure. Although some people experience greater increases, the average is a 2 to 4-mmHg rise in blood pressure and an increase of three to six heartbeats per minute. These increases alone are unlikely to have serious consequences. However, people who take stimulants should be closely monitored to see if they experience larger blood pressure changes or heart rate changes.
Cardiovascular Diseases
People with certain cardiovascular conditions, such as:
- Heart failure
- Hypertension pre-existing
- Recent heart attack
- Ventricular arrhythmia
Your doctor must complete a physical examination to determine if you have any cardiac problems.
If you are currently on a stimulant and experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
- Exercise-induced chest pain
- Unexplained fainting, also known as syncope.
- Other symptoms of cardiac disease
Mental Health Conditions
People with mental illnesses may also be at risk from stimulants. These include:
- History of psychosis or a psychotic condition. Stimulants can exacerbate symptoms.
- Bipolar disorder. These medications can cause a “mixed” or manic episode that includes both depressive and mania symptoms simultaneously.
Having your child or yourself thoroughly screened for any existing mental condition is important. This includes psychosis, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Look Out for these Signs and Symptoms
The risk of stimulants causing psychotic symptoms or manic episodes in children and adolescents with no prior history of these conditions is low (about 0.1%). Symptoms include:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Manic episodes
In the event of symptoms, it may be necessary to discontinue treatment.
Children with ADHD often display aggressive behavior. There is no evidence to suggest that stimulants can cause aggression or hostility. However, patients starting treatment for ADHD must be closely monitored for signs of increased aggression.
Understanding Anger in Children with ADHD
Adderall XR carries additional risks. You can, for example:
- Stimulant usage may affect growth in children. You may want to consult your doctor if your child’s growth or weight is not increasing while taking Adderall XR.
- These drugs can cause seizures. Stimulants increase the risk of seizure in people with a previous history of seizures, electroencephalogram abnormalities, or, very rare, people without this history. Adderall XR should not be taken if seizures are present.
- Stimulant treatment can disrupt vision. This type of medication can cause blurred vision.
- Stimulants can cause blood circulation problems. These medications can cause blood circulation problems in the extremities, known as peripheral vasculopathy and Raynaud’s phenomenon. This is a condition where the blood flow decreases to specific body parts like the toes or fingers.
- Tics can worsen when stimulants are used. Adderall XR may worsen motor or vocal tics if you have Tourette syndrome.
- Adderall XR may impair your ability to operate machinery or vehicles. Use caution when operating machinery and vehicles, especially if this is your first time taking the medication.
Adderall XR Dosage
Adderall XR should be administered at the lowest dose that is effective. Dosages are based on each person’s therapeutic needs and responses. It is usually titrated every week to ensure it’s tolerated. To ensure that your medication effectively reduces your symptoms over the long term, your doctor should periodically reevaluate it.
Adderall XR can be prescribed to patients who take Adderall immediate-release in divided doses (such as twice daily).
The dose can be adjusted by 5 or 10mg at weekly intervals. Sometimes a doctor may decide to begin the dose with 5 mg in the morning.
1 Children under six have not received Adderall XR at doses greater than 30mg daily.
The recommended starting dose for adolescents with ADHD between 13-17 years of age is 10mg per day. If the ADHD symptoms do not improve after a week, you can increase the dose to 20mg daily.
The recommended daily dose for adults is 20 mg.
Adderall XR is available in capsules that come with different dosage options. Each color combination has a unique look.
- 5 mg capsules in blue and clear
- 10 mg capsules in blue and blue
- 15 mg capsules in blue and white
- 20 mg capsules in orange and orange
- 25 mg capsules in orange and white
- 30 mg capsules in natural and orange
The capsules should be swallowed whole. It is important not to chew or crush the capsules, as it could cause the entire medication to be released at once. This can increase side effects.
The manufacturer’s recommended dosage is used. Talk to your doctor and check your prescription to ensure you take the correct dose.
Modifications
Just before taking, sprinkle the entire contents of one capsule on a small quantity of applesauce. It is important to swallow the mixture immediately without chewing. This is especially useful for children who have difficulty taking medication.
Adderall XR: How to Store and Take it?
Adderall XR may be taken with or w/o food, as prescribed by your doctor. It should only be taken in the morning and must always be taken the same. After each dose, drink a glass or two of liquid.
Take your medication as soon as you remember. It is important to take it at night, but not too close to bedtime. Avoid taking this medication twice. If it is almost time for the next dose, you should skip the missed one and return to your regular schedule
Store Adderall XR between 59 F and 86 F. This medication should be stored in a tightly closed container. It’s a controlled substance.
Adderall XR, a controlled substance, is a drug that you should plan if you are planning to travel. Adderall is legal in all 50 states, but you must follow different labeling laws when traveling.
Traveling with only the exact amount of medication you need is best. Don’t pack extras. If you plan to fly, keep your medications in a purse or carry-on bag.
Adderall XR is illegal in some countries. This can cause problems when traveling internationally. Contact the foreign embassy of your destination to find out if there are any restrictions on your medication. If so, you will need to follow strict documentation requirements. Talk to your doctor about the best way to proceed if you are out of medicine while traveling.
Adderall XR Side Effects
Adderall XR can cause a variety of side effects that range in severity from mild to severe. It would help to talk to your doctor to determine what side effects you can expect when taking Adderall XR. Also, it would help if you kept him informed of any unexpected or new reactions.
Common
The side effects of a drug can differ depending on the age. Children aged 6-12 years old are most likely to experience: 6
- Abdominal pain
- Rapid mood changes or emotional lability
- Fever
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Vomiting
The most common side effects in adolescents aged 13-17 include:
- Abdominal pain
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Nervousness
- Weight loss
Adults are commonly affected by the following:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Dry Mouth
- Feeling weak
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Tachycardia is a rapid heartbeat
- Urinary tract infections
- Weight loss
Severe
Adderall XR may cause severe side effects, including 6
- Allergic reactions
- Depression
- Changes in vision or blurred vision
- Heart attack
- Impotence
- Blood pressure increases
- Psychotic episodes
- Seizures
- Children’s growth slowing or reduced height
- Stroke
- Sudden death caused by heart disease
- Problems with vehicles or machinery
You may experience the following symptoms if you take too much Adderall XR:
- Hyperactivity
- Irritability
- Marked insomnia
- Personality changes
- Indistinguishable psychosis from schizophrenia
- Lesions and other severe skin conditions
Adderall XR Warnings, Interactions, and Side Effects
Adderall XR has a Schedule II drug status (meaning it is a controlled substance with a high abuse potential). Adderall XR carries abuse and dependency risks, which are higher if you have had a substance-use disorder. You must follow the doctor’s instructions and not take more of it; use it more frequently or longer than prescribed.
You should consult your doctor before stopping Adderall XR. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you stop cold turkey. These include severe fatigue, sleep issues, and mental/emotional changes like depression. Withdrawal symptoms may be more common if you’ve been using this drug for a long time or at high doses.
Only under the guidance of your doctor should you reduce your dosage or stop taking your medication.
Interactions
Tell your doctor whether you or your children take:
- Antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- Antipsychotics
- Blood pressure medicines
- Blood Thinners
- Lithium
- MAOIs
- Medication for seizures
- Opioids pain medications
- Stomach acid medicine
Other Warnings
Adderall XR was not evaluated in children younger than six or older adults.
Discuss your options with your physician if you are or plan to be pregnant. Although it is unknown if Adderall XR can be taken during pregnancy, animal tests have shown that the fetus may be at risk. There are also well-known side effects in infants born to mothers who use amphetamines.
Adderall XR can be used in pregnancy if it benefits the mother and outweighs the potential risks. However, if taking this medication, nursing mothers should not breastfeed, as amphetamines may travel through breast milk.
While taking Adderall XR, it’s vital to stay under the supfervision of a doctor. While evaluating dosage and your long-term plan, your doctor can ensure you are safe and have no serious side effects.
