Adderall is the trade name of a prescription psychostimulant consisting of active ingredients dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. The primary FDA approved use of Adderall is to improve symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a behavioral disorder most commonly diagnosed in children whose landmark symptoms include attention problems, hyperactivity, and lack of impulse control.
The amphetamine compounds present in Adderall are thought to increase levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain by directly stimulating their release and inhibiting brain enzymes responsible for the breakdown of these key neurotransmitters. This allows the brain to stay sharp and focused due to increased levels of serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters. However, due to Adderall’s effects on the mesolimbic reward pathway, a brain structure responsible for organizing behavioral responses to reward stimuli, it can be highly addictive if not used as prescribed by a doctor.
Adderall is also an approved treatment for narcolepsy, a sleep disorder characterized by frequent “sleep attacks” in which an individual inadvertently falls asleep during the day. Off-label (non-FDA approved) uses of Adderall include treatment for severe depression and obesity. Adderall is available in both instant release and extended release formulations.
Besides its stimulating effect on the brain, Adderall has many other physiological effects on the body which can lead to unwanted side effects. Side effects include:
- diarrhea
- insomnia
- headaches
- dry mouth
- weight loss
- restlessness
- nausea & vomiting
- decreased appetite
- increased aggression
Because Adderall increases blood pressure and heart rate, the risk of sudden death as a result of stroke or heart attack is increased. Adderall’s stimulatory effects can also increase the risk of seizures in those who are prone to them. Adderall is also known to cause a temporary growth delay in children.
Precautions
Because Adderall is a potent psychostimulant, its use with many other psychoactive drugs is not advised. Adderall should never be taken with an MAOI due to a synergistic unsafe rise in blood pressure. In addition, Adderall should not be taken with SSRI, NRI, or SNRI antidepressant medications unless recommended by a doctor as these medications may interfere with or greatly enhance the effect of Adderall to a potentially unsafe degree.