Adderall Side Effects

Adderall Side Effects, Information and Adderall Tidbits

What is Adderall?

Adderall is the brand name for a psychostimulant that is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Adderall was introduced on to the market in 1996, and is composed of a mixture of amphetamine salts. It comes in two forms, immediate release and extended release. Immediate release is used to treat both ADHD and narcolepsy, while extended release is used primarily for ADHD.

Adderall has also been used to help treat certain types of depression when typical antidepressants don't work. Other non-FDA approved uses for Adderall include epilepsy, senile apathetic behavior, and obesity.

Adderall works by altering chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control. It increases levels of dopamine and serotonin, leading to a higher focus level, and lower prevalence of hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive symptoms.

Potential for Abuse?

Adderall is widely considered a habit-forming drug and has a very high potential to abuse. Adderall is reportedly widely used as a "study drug", as it can help focus energy and concentration for long periods of time. Serious side effects such as paranoia, hallucinations, or even heart attack can occur if Adderall is used to alter a normal sleep pattern. Adderall is an amphetamine, and as with other amphetamines a tolerance and eventually a dependence may form, leading to serious withdrawl symptoms if the user stops taking it. Adderall is not advised for people with a history of drug abuse.

Serious Adderall side effects:

fast, uneven heartbeats
fainting
feeling dizzy or light-headed
severe headache
blurred vision
chest pain
numbness
tremor
restlessness
hallucinations

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side effects, or have an allergic reaction such as hives, swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing.

Less serious Adderall side effects:

headache
insomnia
dry mouth
diarrhea
constipation
loss of appetite
impotence
difficulty having an orgasm

This is not a complete list of Adderall side effects. Consult your doctor for a full list.

Interesting Adderall Tidbits

Here are some interesting places Adderall has been seen in pop culture

UFC fighter Tim Credeur was removed from a UFC fight in UFC seven due to a positive drug test for Adderall
A recent study showed that 25% of students attending highly competitive college campuses or ones with a high rate of binge drinking abused ADHD drugs including Adderall
The Nevada State Athletic Commission recently banned athletes from using Adderall

Share your Adderall experience

Female / 50 07/10/2010 Rating: 9 Time Taken: 2 Years

extreme fatigue flu like symptoms
i take more than i should my dr has me on only 10 mg 3times a day have adult add and bipolar depressive my meds make me so tired i hope for him to increase my dose i run out early and feel really bad when i'm off of it. but it is worth it it helps all my symptoms

Female / 62 06/02/2010 Rating: 5 Time Taken: 2 Months

Itchy; nervous but at least I am not depressed; more focused, although sometimes on the wrong things
I recently read that levoampetamine is an ingrediant of adderall and that it can cause depression rather than euphoria. Does anyone know this?

Male / 29 04/09/2010 Rating: 10 Time Taken: 13 Years

Weight loss
This is a miracle drug. Raised my GPA from 1.0 in high school to a 4.2. Now as an adult, It helps me get through some mind numbing tasks as well. I find no downside to the medication, since i needed the weight loss as I am overweight.

Female / 16 04/09/2010 Rating: 10 Time Taken: 1 Years

dry mouth, loss of appitite, can't sleep .
I take adderall every now and again for school,to do chores and FEEL HAPPY. I don't feel happy because i feel "high". I feel happy because I can actually accomplish things that need to be done, instead of procrastinating everything and getting stuck in a bad moods. I can still feel sad about things and thoughts, but its different, I can get over it. When I'm not on Adderall I always sit there and think "ugh i have to go do this then that", on Adderall instead of waisting my time dreading things, I actually go do them. Lifting up all the stress I have. Also, I do better in school. I'm excited to do my homework bc I actually learned in school, and then I want to apply it, I finally know the answers, so homework is easy.

Female / 30 01/05/2010 Rating: 9 Time Taken: 7 Years

decreased appetite, Extreme concentration on any given task to the point of loosing track of time, I sleep well but only 3-4hours/day.
I feel this is a very affective medication, I completely understand the danger if not taken as prescribed but it too bad that addicts have to ruin it for people like me who benefit greatly from it. Its very hard for me to get it without an argument from some stupid 14 year old Pharmacy tech. They cant' seem to get it straight that I am prescribed both the extended release (30mg/once daily) and the quick release (also 30mg) three times a day. I realize that Its a lot to most people but I've been on it so long I don't even have those dangerous symptoms anymore (racing heart-rate etc.) they always think its to soon to fill because I picked up the XR a week earlier,they always want to verify it with my doctor, or make me wait a few more days. I finally started using multiple pharmacies to blend more easily and to avoid the confrontation every time like some kind of common Rx Drug seeker. Sometimes even the actual pharmacist questions it just because in his opinion I am prescribed to much. Isn't that none of their business? Obviously my doctor would not prescribe that much if he thought my system couldn't handle it! Its getting worse too as the government keeps cracking down. The latest crackdown: now my doctor has to right on the hardcopy "Please fill 30 days from the above date" on the 2nd months' script. God forbid I'm near the pharmacy on the 29th day and want to save time by picking it up then, nope its not happening. Unbelievable, it was only a short 2 years ago they weren't aloud to post-date the script, now they have to?? I don't get it. If I was an addict I'd be dead by now after 7 years so obviously I have this under control.

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