Adderall is one of the most common drugs used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adderall is a mixture of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which are two central nervous stimulants that work to better focus and decrease impulsivity by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels that are in the brain. In 1996 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Adderall.
Adderall is only available through a prescription and helps individuals that have been diagnosed with ADHD and can improve their focus and concentration. An important thing to note about Adderall is it has side effects such as restlessness, headaches, problems sleeping, nervousness, and more. There is a high chance that taking Adderall will not make every symptom of ADHD go away, but an individual can notice the medication is working when they are able to focus on a task and finish it or if they are seeing improvements at school or work. When Adderall is used in a person who does not have ADHD, they may feel increased energy levels as well as possible dangerous emotional and physical side effects. A great risk of the medication is when it is taken not for its intended use as well as when someone takes more than the prescribed dose. Stimulants can increase the heart rate and increase anxiety as well. When a person has high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety disorder, or other health conditions they should always tell their doctor about their health history before taking any type of stimulant.
Also, see our blog about Adderall Vs. Ritalin here
As of 10/12/2022 the FDA announced a shortage of Adderall. The FDA has addressed the shortage by posting information about the shortage and listing current manufacturers and product strengths that are still available.
It is important to talk to a health care provider to see if a medication like Adderall would help with a condition of ADHD. Signs and symptoms of ADHD can come in many forms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Some symptoms of inattention include when a person does not seem to listen when being spoken to directly or losing things that are necessary for activities or tasks such as keys, paperwork, pencils, etc. Genes may play a large role in what causes ADHD and researchers are continuing to look at environmental factors that may raise risk to someone having ADHD. ADHD is more common in males than females and people with ADHD often have other conditions such as learning disabilities or anxiety disorder.
Resources:
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-announces-shortage-adderall
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
