Adderall Side Effects

Side effects of Adderall include anorexia or loss of appetite, insomnia or difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, headaches, stomach or abdominal pain, weight loss, blood pressure increase, vomiting, upset stomach, nausea, emotional changes, asthenia or feeling weak, tachycardia or increase in heart rate, fever, UTI or urinary tract infections, other types of infection, heartburn and fever.

Other side effects of Adderall include confusion, suicidal thoughts, heart palpitations, chest tightness, chest pain, outgoing or aggressive behavior, hallucinations, strange behavior, restlessness, agitation, seizures, fainting, hives, unexplained rashes, tics or uncontrolled movements of the legs, arms, mouth, neck or head.

Rare side effects of Adderall include decreased sex drive, impotence or ED, shakiness, sweating, constipation and fatigue or tiredness.

Adderall has also been known to cause slowing the growth of children temporarily. This is minimal, consisting of less than 2 pounds and less than 1 inch.  Children do catch up with the normal growth limits in time.

Since this drug increases blood pressure, it also carries a heart attack, stroke or sudden death risk. Changes in vision have also been reported as well as marked hair loss.

Just like other types of stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine, Adderall affects the mesolimbic reward brain pathways, resulting in high potentials of addiction and abuse. This is especially true when the drug is misused.  Under the Controlled Substance Act Schedule II, Adderall is said to have “significant addiction and abuse potential.”

High, prolonged doses of amphetamines, which are followed by instant ceasing of drug, use results in mental depression and extreme fatigue. Continuous, consistent amphetamine abuse results in amphetamine psychosis.

On the ninth of February, 2005, all sales of Adderall XR were suspended by Health Canada after Shire Pharma data linked this drug to twelve American children’s sudden death. Use of this drug risks cardiac defects. The FDA could not find risks of Adderall user’s sudden deaths even after studying 37 million filled prescriptions. In August of 2005, Health Canada with a report from a committee of three independent physicians lifted the Adderall XR ban.

A brand name psychostimulant, Adderall is a medication type composed of racemic amphetamine sulfate, recemic amphetamine aspartate monohydrate, dextroamphetamine sulfate and dextroamphetamine saccharide.  The dextroamphetamine sulfate works by increasing norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Aside from this, the drug is also a strong norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and a dopamine reuptake inhibitor.

Reported by many to increase libido, alertness, concentration nd cognitive performance overall, Adderall generally improves mood and simultaneously decreasing fatigue. You can avail of Adderall in two formulas, IR or “Instant Release” and XR or “Extended Release.” The IR formula is for indications of ADHD or attention deficit hyperactive disorder and narcolepsy. The XR formula is only for ADHD patients.

Aside from the FDA approval of indications treating narcolepsy and ADHD, Adderall is also used off the label to manage exogenous obesity and depression which resists treatment. Patients who show minimal responses to antidepressants that are FDA-approved including MAOI’s, SSRI’s, bupropion or tricyclics may show good responses to medications that are psychostimulants.