Review medicine.

Adderall

Review Adderall

Treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Also treats

narcolepsy (a sleep problem). This medicine is a stimulant.

Brand Name(s):Adderall XR, Adderall,Barr generic,Barr Division,DuraMed

division,Barr Pharmaceuticals,Teva Pharmaceuticals,(Obetrol- popular in the

1950s and 1960s)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When Adderall Should Not Be Used:

You should not use Adderall if you or your child have had an allergic

reaction to amphetamine or dextroamphetamine. You should not use Adderall if you have glaucoma, an overactive thyroid, high blood pressure,

heart disease, or blood vessel problems. You should not use Adderall if

you have used a drug for depression called an MAO inhibitor (MAOI), such as

Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®, in the past 14 days. Do not use Adderall if you have a history of drug abuse, or if you are very

nervous, tense, or agitated most of the time. Do not give Adderall to a

child under 3 years of age.

How to Use Adderall:

Tablet, Long Acting Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much of Adderall to use and howoften. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to findout what works best for you. Do not use more Adderall or use it moreoften than your doctor tells you to.
• Adderall should come with a Medication Guide. Read and followthese instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you haveany questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you donot have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that

  you understand this information.

• You may take Adderall with or without food.
• It is best to take the extended-release capsule form in themorning. Taking Adderall  in the afternoon or evening could make itharder for you to fall asleep.
• If you use the short-acting tablet form of this medicine,take your last dose for the day about 6 hours before bedtime, unlessyour doctor gives you other instructions.
• Swallow the extended-release capsule whole. Do not crush, break, orchew it.
• If you cannot swallow the extended-release capsule, you may open itand pour the medicine into a small amount of soft food such as pudding,yogurt, or applesauce. Stir this mixture well and swallow it withoutchewing.
• Adderall  is part of an ADHD treatment program that may alsoinclude counseling or special education. Carefully follow your doctor’sinstructions about all treatment measures.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon asyou can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to usethe medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to makeup for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of Adderall:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, awayfrom heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best wayto dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished yourtreatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after theexpiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicinewith anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including 

over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Tell your doctor if you are also using acetazolamide (Diamox®),chlorpromazine (Thorazine®), antacids, blood pressure medicines (such asatenolol, lisinopril, metoprolol, Cozaar®, or Diovan®), or certain painmedicines (such as meperidine, propoxyphene, Demerol®, or Darvon®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cold or allergymedicines, ethosuximide (Zarontin®), haloperidol (Haldol®), lithiumcarbonate (Lithobid®), certain medicines for depression (such asamitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline, Pamelor®, or Sinequan®),

  methenamine (Hiprex®, Urex®), phenobarbital, or phenytoin (Dilantin®).

• Do not eat citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit) ordrink citrus juice when you take Adderall. Do not take vitamin Cwhile you are using Adderall.

Taking dextroamphetamine with acidic food may change the amount of dextroamphetamine in your blood. Using dextroamphetamine and eating acidic foods is not recommended. Acidic foods include but are not limited to citrus fruits and juices, corn, olives, and beans. It is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other medicines that you are using. Your doctor may want to monitor you more closely or order additional tests to determine how well your medicine is working. Do not stop using your medicines without talking to your doctor first.

Warnings While Using Adderall:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, orif you or your child have heart problems, thyroid problems, or mild highblood pressure. Tell your doctor if you or your child have muscle ticsor Tourette’s syndrome, a condition that causes you to have muscle

  twitches or to make sounds you are not able to control.

• Your doctor should know if you or your child have epilepsy, or ahistory of seizures, depression or mental illness. Tell your doctorabout any drug or alcohol problems. Also tell your doctor if you oranyone in your family has tried to commit suicide.
• Adderall may be habit-forming. If you feel that Adderall isnot working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Callyour doctor for instructions.
• Adderall may cause slow growth. If your child is using thismedicine, the doctor will need to keep track of your child’s height andweight to make sure your child is growing properly.
• Adderall may make you dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, ordoing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits whileyou are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using Adderall:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands,swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, troublebreathing.
• Blurred vision.
• Change in behavior, unusual or disturbing thoughts.
• Chest pain or shortness of breath.
• Confusion, rapid breathing, panic, lightheadedness, or fainting.
• Extreme restlessness, fever, shaking or uncontrolled musclemovements.
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
• Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there.
• Seizures.
• Tremors or shaking.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
• Dry mouth or bad taste in your mouth.
• Feeling tired, irritable, nervous, anxious, or depressed.
• Headache or dizziness.
• Loss of appetite or weight loss.
• Problems having sex.
• Trouble sleeping.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this 

medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.