What is Adderall?
Adderall is a powerful drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. This medication contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which are potent central nervous system stimulants that interact with chemicals in the brain and nerves that affect hyperactivity and impulse control. It should be noted that Adderall may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
However, Adderall has many warnings and side effects, which make it a potentially dangerous drug. For one, it can be habit-forming, leading to addiction or drug abuse. People with high blood pressure, heart disease, or heart defects are at risk of stroke, heart attack, or sudden death when taking this medication. It’s also imperative to avoid taking Adderall if you have taken a MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, as it can cause dangerous drug interactions that may be fatal.
Moreover, Adderall may cause new or worsened psychosis in individuals with a history of depression, mental illness, or bipolar disorder. Circulation problems may also occur, causing numbness, pain, or discoloration in the fingers or toes. If you experience any chest pain, feeling lightheaded or short of breath, paranoia, aggression, seeing or hearing things that aren’t real, or unexplained wounds on your fingers or toes, seek medical help immediately.
People with glaucoma, an overactive thyroid, severe agitation, moderate to severe high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, vascular disease, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction should not take Adderall. Other medications that interact with amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may cause serotonin syndrome, a serious condition that can cause agitation, hallucinations, coma, fast heart rate, dizziness, sweating, feeling hot, muscle rigidity or shakiness, seizures, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. In such cases, patients should immediately stop taking Adderall.
Furthermore, taking Adderall during pregnancy can cause premature birth, low birth weight, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn baby. Hence, pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant should not take this medication. The drug can also pass into breast milk and harm a nursing baby, so nursing mothers should avoid Adderall as well. It’s important to note that Adderall is not approved for use by anyone younger than three years old.
Patients should take Adderall as prescribed by their doctors and not alter their dosage or extend their usage beyond the recommended duration. Also, it’s crucial not to share Adderall with anyone else, especially those with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Doing so is against the law and may lead to addiction, drug abuse, or severe side effects. Finally, patients using Adderall should consult their doctors or pharmacists to understand the medication’s potential risks and effects fully.
