Adderall Benefits, Risks, and Uses

When is Adderall used?

Adderall is a first-line treatment for ADHD and narcolepsy. It is frequently part of a comprehensive treatment approach that includes other medications and behavioral therapies. It is occasionally prescribed in elderly patients off-label as an adjunct to antidepressants for individuals with depression who have not responded to other treatment options.

What are Adderall’s main benefits?

Adderall can significantly benefit those with ADHD, as it can improve focus, attention, and impulse control. It helps individuals make more deliberate decisions and better manage their impulsivity. Adderall can enhance working memory, executive function, and processing speed in people with ADHD, which can aid in tasks that require multitasking, problem-solving, or organizing thoughts. In individuals with narcolepsy, Adderall promotes wakefulness and can alleviate excessive daytime sleepiness, allowing them to remain alert and awake throughout the day. 

What are Adderall’s most common side effects?

Common side effects of Adderall are systolic hypertension, gastrointestinal issues (abdominal pain, anorexia, and xerostomia), headaches, and insomnia. There are more rare and serious side effects such as psychosis, heart attacks, arrythmias, seizures, and addiction. Some side effects may resolve as you get adjusted to the medication.

How does Adderall work?

Adderall contains amphetamines, which are noncatecholamine, sympathomimetic amines that stimulate the release of catecholamines—primarily dopamine and norepinephrine—from their storage sites in the presynaptic nerve terminals. A secondary mechanism involves the inhibition of catecholamine reuptake through competitive inhibition

How is Adderall commonly dosed?

The common dosing for total daily dosing for Adderall IR is 5mg to a maximum of 50mg daily, divided into two doses for individuals treating ADHD. Adderall XR is typically taken once daily instead of twice, as its extended-release formulation provides a longer duration of effect. For narcolepsy, 10mg to 60mg once daily is more typical. Dosing depends on the patient’s specific situation and should always be discussed with their physician.

What are the different types of Adderall?

Adderall is split into two main types, immediate release (IR) and extended release (XR).

Immediate release is more commonly trialed first. It can be easier to tolerate and adjust to taking, as its effects typically last for about 4-6 hours. This can be useful when only needing to focus for shorter periods of time, or when appetite suppression is an issue and there is a desire for the medication to wear off in order to have a meal before the next dose.

Extended release is typically dosed once daily, and can be helpful for those who are forgetful or prefer not to take medication in the middle of the day. It effects typically last 8 to 10 hours and generally long enough to help with focus throughout the day but short enough to allow time to wear off and get to sleep. One drawback is that if it isn’t taken until later in the day, it may poorly impact sleep.

What are other common names for Adderall?

Adderall is the brand name for the medication, it is also known by its generic names, dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.