Who Should Not Take Adderall
Adderall should not be taken if you or your child:
- Have heart disease or hardening of the arteries
- Have moderate to severe high blood pressure
- Have hyperthyroidism
- Have an eye problem called glaucoma
- Are very anxious, tense, or agitated
- Have a history of drug abuse
- Are taking or have taken within the past 14 days an anti-depression medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or MAOI.
- Are sensitive to, allergic to, or had a reaction to other stimulant medicines
ADDERALL® IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN CHILDREN LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD
Supplementing Adderall With An Ssri Or Tca
It is most common practice to supplement Adderall or another psychostimulant with an SSRI or TCA antidepressant. Using a stimulant by itself to target depression doesnt have as high of a success rate and is not formally approved for depression treatment. Star D studies have shown that when used in combination with an antidepressant, this is more effective than either standalone treatment option. It has become a practice to supplement Adderall with an SSRI to help target deep cases of depression.
Why Are Prescription Stimulants Misused
The reasons why prescription stimulants are misused are numerous and include achieving euphoria, and helping cope with stressful factors related to their educational environment. According to a survey of 334 ADHD-diagnosed college students taking prescription stimulants, 25% misused their own prescription medications to get high . Like cocaine, MPH inhibits the DAT, which increases synaptic levels of DA, and this is presumed to mediate MPH’s reinforcing effects and abuse potential. In laboratory studies, it has been shown that animals will repeatedly administer MPH as they do cocaine , and humans receiving both drugs indicate a similar high . A frequent concern regarding the use of stimulants for ADHD is their mechanism of action, which increases DA and thus may increase the risk for overt, illicit drug use. However, research points to the conclusion that people of any age receiving a stimulant for ADHD have no greater risk for illicit substance abuse compared with the general population .
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Adderall Effects On The Brain
Adderall is a stimulant that works in the brain to treat symptoms of ADHD and narcolepsy.
The exact way it works to treat ADHD isnt entirely clear. What we do know is that Adderall affects chemical messengers in the brain called neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine.
The effects on these neurotransmitters are thought to help control certain impulses and provide a calming effect in people with ADHD. They also cause increased focus and attention.
In people without ADHD, such as those with narcolepsy, Adderall can cause wakefulness. It can also cause feelings of physical and mental energy, and a sense of confidence.
Tolerance occurs when your body gets used to the effects of a medication and no longer responds in the same way. In some cases, this can require increasing the dosage of a drug to get the same effect.
Tolerance is more likely to occur with Adderall when the drug is misused or abused.
However, when Adderall is used in normal therapeutic dosages, tolerance to its treatment effects usually doesnt occur. Once an effective dosage is determined, that dosage can often be continued for long periods of time without any loss of effectiveness.
Tolerance can also relate to side effects. People who take Adderall for ADHD or narcolepsy sometimes experience side effects when they first start the medication. In many cases, the body develops a tolerance to these side effects, and they go away.
Dosage For Attention Deficit
Adderall tablet
- Adults
- Typical starting dosage: 5 mg once or twice daily.
- Dosage increases: This dosage may be increased by 5 mg each week until it has the desired effect.
- Note: The first dose of the medication should be taken when you first wake up. Any additional doses should be taken every four to six hours.
- Children
- Typical starting dosage: 5 mg once or twice daily.
- Dosage increases: This dosage may be increased by 5 mg each week until it has the desired effect.
- Note: The first dose of the medication should be taken when your child first wakes up. Any additional doses should be taken every four to six hours.
- Children
- Typical starting dosage: 2.5 mg once or twice daily.
- Dosage increases: This dosage may be increased by 2.5 mg each week until it has the desired effect.
- Note: The first dose of the medication should be taken when your child first wakes up. Any additional doses should be taken every four to six hours.
- Children
- Adderall tablet isnt recommended for treating ADHD in children under the age of 3 years.
Adderall XR extended-release capsule
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Adderall Dependence Vs Adderall Addiction
An Adderall dependency is a natural, expected physiological response to the drug. The individual has a physical dependence due to the interaction of the chemicals in the body but not a psychological dependence where they are abusing the medication to reach a high. They may require assistance from their doctor to get off the medication due to the way the chemicals affect the brain however, they are not mentally obsessing over or craving Adderall.
An Adderall addiction refers to a persons physical and/or psychological reliance on Adderall along with a specific set of behaviors. These individuals are usually unable to cope when they stop taking Adderall and will go to any length to obtain more of the medication. Use of the drug becomes the main priority of the individual. They often run out of their prescription early due to taking more than prescribed, leaving them in withdrawal from the substance, which results in going to any length to obtain more of the substance. Obsessive thoughts about Adderall and cravings are also indicators of addictive behavior.
How To Prevent Adhd Fatigue
Although fatigue is a common symptom of attention deficit disorder, you can prevent it. Be sure to talk to a medical professional about the most effective habits you may use.
Below are some tips to get you started:
Get the most suitable ADHD medication for yourself by clicking the button below.
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Stimulating The Central Nervous System For More Energy Alertness And Even Calmness In Me/cfs And Fm
Most of the pharmaceuticals used to increase energy in chronic fatigue syndrome are amphetamines or have amphetamine-like structures. Amphetamines have been used in the past to elevate mood, reduce feelings of fatigue and increase alertness, concentration and motivation.
They cardiovascular effects have lead them, at times, to be used in orthostatic intolerance as well. In general they constrict the blood vessels and increase blood pressure and heart rates. They may also increase blood glucose levels.
Historically, amphetamines were used to treat everything from asthma to obesity to hyperactivity to neurological disorders, but abuse problems have restricted their use today to conditions such as attention deficit disorder. When taken correctly the risk of addiction is reportedly very low but taking large doses of stimulants over a long period of time can cause addiction. Sleep and energy levels can be negatively effected in ME/CFS and FM in some patients.
How Your Doctor Can Help If You Have Cfs/me
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By Charles W. Lapp, MDNote: Dr. Lapp, is the founder and medical director of the Hunter-Hopkins Center in Charlotte. The clinic is one of the few medical practices in the United States specializing in CFS/ME.
If you are not able to access a provider who is expert on CFS/ME, your next best bet is to find a doctor who is empathetic and willing to help. This person may be your existing primary care doctor or someone else you find who either knows about CFS/ME or is willing to learn about it.
There are four ways your doctor can help:
1) Establish a diagnosis3) Treat other conditions that often accompany CFS/ME4) Provide usual primary care
While your doctor’s role is important, you should recognize that there is no known cure for CFS/ME, so there are limits to what your doctor can do. Medical treatment does not treat the disease it only palliates the symptoms. Medical treatment will not even speed your recovery, but it will make recovery more comfortable. The key to recovery in CFS/ME is acceptance of the illness and adaptation to it by means of lifestyle changes, for which medical treatment is no substitute.
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Adderall And Herbs And Supplements
Adderall can interact with certain vitamins, supplements, or herbs you may be taking.
Vitamin C
Taking vitamin C supplements can make your stomach more acidic and can decrease the amount of Adderall your body absorbs. This can make Adderall less effective. Dont take Adderall within one hour of taking vitamin C.
Supplements that affect serotonin
Supplements that affect serotonin can increase your risk of developing serotonin syndrome. Examples of these supplements include:
Taking Adderall with marijuana can increase your risk of heart-related side effects. These include rapid heartbeat, arrhythmia , and heart attack.
Who Should Not Use Adderall
Adderall is not for everybody. It should not be used by patients with a history of glaucoma, severe anxiety or agitation, a personal or family history of tics, or Tourette syndrome. Stimulants can also cause sudden death in patients with congenital heart defects or serious heart problems. As a result, patients should alert their doctors if they have a history of heart disease, heart rhythm disorder, coronary artery disease or heart attacks, according to the NIH. Doctors should also be alerted if the patient has a history of high blood pressure, mental illness, peripheral vascular disease or seizure disorders.
Adults ages 65 and older should usually not take Adderall because it is not as safe as other medications for this age group, the NIH says.
Some drug interactions could be harmful. The NIH says that people should not take Adderall if they have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor , a type of antidepressant, in the last two weeks.
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Are Stimulants Addictive
Stimulants can be habit forming and addictive. If you are prescribed stimulants, do not suddenly stop taking them without your healthcare provider’s approval. Discontinuing your medication suddenly can result in withdrawal symptoms. To ease withdrawal symptoms, your healthcare provider will likely taper your dosage slowly to wean you off of your medication.
It is advised that those with a history or drug or alcohol abuse or an addictive personality type, avoid taking stimulant medications. These drugs are considered to be a controlled substance as they can be addictive and some types can be abused.
How Does Adderall Work
Each Adderall tablet or capsule contains two stimulant drugs: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Both drugs cause the body to release increased norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that send messages, or signals, between cells.
Increased amounts of these messengers in the brain can result in more focus and attention. In people with ADHD, it can also result in a calming effect. In people with narcolepsy, it can help reduce daytime sleepiness.
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What Does Adderall Do
Adderall and its generic counterparts are powerful stimulants that help those with ADHD stay on top of their lives. For many people out there, it can be invaluable to their success in life professionally, in daily life, and otherwise.
can help increase your ability to pay attention, stay focused on an activity, and control behavior problems. It may also help you to organize your tasks and improve listening skills.
WebMD
Adderall works by increasing serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels in the central nervous system.
Norepinephrine affects how the brain responds to events particularly how it pays attention and the speed at which it reacts to outside stimuli.
Dopamine, the bodys feel good chemical, creates a rewarding effect. Although dopamine occurs naturally, drugs like Adderall work in overtime to produce even higher levels of it.
Adderall works very well for a lot of people out there. I cant believe how I got through life before this! they think to themselves.
In the medical sense, the fadeaway of this euphoric is fine. After all, its the positive effects of Adderall on the brain that ADHD patients want and need. But for the unlucky few who think otherwise, addiction can rear its ugly head and they begin chasing the dragon.
Taking Adderall For Treatment
The use of stimulants like Adderall for cases of treatment-resistant depression is not very common these days. It is much more common for a psychiatrist to put the patient through the ringer of SSRI, SNRI, Tricyclic, and MAOI classes before they are likely to consider a psychostimulant. This is in part due to the fact that these have not been directly approved by the FDA for depression. However, if we take a look at most of the literature surrounding psychostimulants in cases of treatment-resistant depression, it seems to indicate that not only do they work, they work quite effectively.
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What Medicine Will Give You Energy
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
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Drugspushing A Brain That Is May Be Already Fatigued
I am now seeing more patients prescribed drugs like Adderall, Ritalin and Vyvanse for their fatigue. Adderall is an addictive prescription stimulant with effects similar to meth
Drugs like Vyvanse and Adderall are classified as Schedule II drugs both drugs are classified as controlled substances by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in the Schedule II category, indicating that they are at the highest level of control for drugs that can be obtained by people with a prescription from a physician.
Schedule II drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. These drugs are also considered dangerous. Some examples of Schedule II drugs include cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, oxycodone , fentanyl, Adderall, Vyvanse and Ritalin
Is Adderall Safe To Take
Contrary to popular belief, Adderall has been around for a long time and is universally considered one of the safest psychiatric medications. Although people online can paint horror stories regarding addiction and dependence on this drug, it has helped many people. A lot of people that take it for the right reasons dont experience any major side-effects upon withdrawal. Many people have been taking this drug for years to treat their attention-deficit disorder and they stop with no major side effects.
Thank you for this article. I agree whole-heartedly. Adderall and/or Vyvansse have really helped me with my depression / lethargy. I currently take adderall, lexapro, and Wellbutrin and I feel so much happier and productive.
Agree on all points. Ive been called a hermit in the past when my depression is uncontrolled. I do much better on my depression cocktail that includes adderall. Glad it works for others and is gaining acceptance in the treatment of depression.
Get a different doctor perhaps newly graduate psychiatrist. Dont put up with their ignorance. Dont risk having meds cut off!
How are you doing now?
Wow reads like my story, I finally decided to fake ADD. Its ridiculous that off label use is such an issue, should be between you and your doctor thats it.
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Telemedicine Provider Pricing And Insurance
When it comes to telemedicine, each provider will have different prices. Many providers charge as high as $500 for an initial appointment. This cost plus follow-up appointments can begin to reach a level that is unaffordable long term, and can prevent you from getting reliable ADHD care.
At Klarity, we provide an initial appointment with an experienced clinician for as low as $149. We value quality ADHD treatment, but we also value affordability so you can get the help you need.
Additionally, its important to note that most insurance plans do not cover telemedicine services which means these costs will need to come out of pocket. This makes finding an affordable and reliable provider especially integral in your ADHD treatment.
