When is adderall prescribed for adults

Adderall is a brand name for the combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. The medication alters certain naturally-occurring chemicals in your brain by enhancing the effects of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine.

According to the Cleveland Clinic , stimulants like Adderall improve symptoms of ADHD in 70 to 80 percent of children, and in 70 percent of adults. Adderall comes in either a tablet form or as a time-release capsule.

It can interfere with sleep, so it should be taken in the morning. Your doctor will most likely start you off with a low dose to make sure you can tolerate it. Then, the dose can be slowly increased. Before taking Adderall, tell your doctor about any preexisting physical or mental health problems you have and list all other prescription and over-the-counter medications you take. Adderall is a federally controlled substance that should never be taken without medical supervision.

You may be more awake during the day, as well as become more focused and calm. In adults, Adderall may cause changes relating to your sex drive or sexual performance. Serious side effects include fever and weakness , or numbness of the limbs. An allergic reaction to Adderall may cause swelling of the tongue , throat, or face. This is a medical emergency and should be treated immediately. Abusing or overusing Adderall and then stopping suddenly can cause symptoms of withdrawal, such as:. The symptoms for adults are same as they are for children, but there are some subtle differences, says Lenard A.

And several studies, including ours, show inattentive symptoms become more prominent as you move into adulthood. In addition, a number of symptoms that go along with ADHD but are not in the diagnostic criteria are also important and can be quite impairing, he adds.

There are two types of adult ADHD: adult onset and adult presentation. The majority of cases have some symptoms that go back to childhood. You can bring it to your regular primary care doctor, and they can score it for you.

A psychologist, psychiatrist , neurologist, or nurse practitioner could also do it for you, he adds. Although ADHD cannot be cured, it can be treated. His suggestion: "Trust yourself enough and err on the side of bringing it up. The greatest risks and side effects occur when the medication is not used as intended or the user takes more than the prescribed dose, Dr. Stimulants can raise your heart rate and increase anxiety, so a person with high blood pressure, seizures, heart disease, glaucoma, liver or kidney disease, or an anxiety disorder should tell their doctor about them before taking any stimulant.

Non-stimulants like Strattera can take 4 to 8 weeks to reach maximum effectiveness at the proper dose. Chatigny is board-certified in child, adolescent and adult psychiatry, a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and is the medical director of behavioral health with Lee Physician Group.

Her treatment interests include emergency psychiatry, treatment resistant depression, complex psychopharmacology, and substance use disorders. Editor's Note: This blog was updated Feb. What is Adderall? It appears JavaScript is disabled in your browser.

Please enable JavaScript and refresh the page in order to complete this form. What is Adderall? Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant ADHD medication used to treat: inattention hyperactivity impulsivity lack of focus disorganization forgetfulness fidgeting excessive talking frequent interrupting and other symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD or ADD.

How Does Adderall work? How long does Adderall last? Is Adderall safe for my child? Three very large studies more than 1 million people in each study done by the FDA found no increased risk of cardiovascular problems in people who have taken Adderall amphetamine over many years. Multiple long-term studies that have followed children taking stimulants from age six years to adulthood have found that all of the children attained their full adult height and weight by age This means that there have been no problems identified in the course of pregnancy, delivery, and post-partum period, and no increased risk of birth defects.

The FDA leaves the decision to continue to take medication during pregnancy to the mother and her clinicians when the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. What are the side effects of Adderall? Before taking Adderall, you should tell your doctor about any personal or family or personal history of: Heart problems High blood pressure Vision loss Stroke Mood disorders BPD Anxiety Tic Disorder Mental health disorders Virtually all side effects from taking Adderall are mild and pass quickly in most cases.

What do I need to know about Adderall abuse and diversion? Can I develop a tolerance to Adderall that would lead to an increase in dosage? Can I take Adderall while pregnant or breast feeding? Can I take Adderall with other medications? Does Adderall cause changes in menstrual cycles, like missed periods? For more information, see our expert response. How can I convince my children to eat, when appetite-loss is a common side effect? Strategies for combating appetite-suppression weight loss include: Feed your child nutrient-dense foods, like yogurt and peanut butter.

Fill up on breakfast before medication takes effect. This also helps to moderate blood sugar. Serve liquid meals such as high-protein, healthy smoothies. Encourage grazing on healthy snacks.

Give a daily multi-vitamin. Limit juice intake. Schedule outdoor play before meals to boost appetite. Try different foods and new recipes to raise her interest in eating. How long does it take for Adderall to kick in and start working? Why am I not seeing results from taking Adderall? Is Adderall habit forming? What should I do? Why would someone take Adderall instead of Ritalin?

Jump to Comments. Hypersensitivity Is Not Imagined. Oppositional Defiant Disorder Treatment.