Adderall XR Patient Information

Find out why Adderall XR is prescribed, side effects Adderall XR, Adderall XR warnings, effects of Adderall XR during pregnancy, more - in plain English.

Pronounced: ADD-ur-all
Generic ingredients: Amphetamines

Adderall XR (amphetamines) full prescribing information
Adderall Medication Guide

Adderall has a high potential for abuse and may be habit-forming if used for a long period of time. Use Adderall only as prescribed and do not share it with others. Abuse of Adderall may cause serious heart problems, blood vessel problems, or sudden death.

What is Adderall used for?:

Treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (sudden and uncontrollable attacks of drowsiness and sleepiness). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Adderall is an amphetamine. Exactly how it works is not known. Adderall affects certain chemicals in the brain that may affect attention span and behavior.

Do NOT use Adderall if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Adderall or to similar medicines
• you have severe hardening of the arteries; active heart or blood vessel disease; moderate, severe, or uncontrolled high blood pressure; an overactive thyroid; glaucoma; or agitation, anxiety, or tension
• you have serious heart problems (eg, heart defect, irregular heartbeat)
• you have a history of alcohol or other substance abuse
• you have taken furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days
• you are taking guanethidine or guanadrel

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Things to Cconsider before using Adderall:

Some medical conditions may interact with Adderall. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure, fast or irregular heartbeat), heart defects, a recent heart attack, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, or blood vessel problems, or if a family member has a history of irregular heartbeat or sudden death
• if you have a history of liver or kidney problems, growth problems, thyroid problems, uncontrolled muscle movements (eg, tics), Tourette syndrome, anorexia, or the blood disease porphyria
• if you have a history of seizures or abnormal electroencephalograms (EEGs)
• if you have a history of mood or mental problems (eg, agitation, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis, tension), abnormal thoughts, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or other substance abuse or dependence or if a family member has a history of any of these problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Adderall. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Furazolidone or MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because side effects, such as increased blood pressure, headache, fever, and irregular heartbeat, may occur
• Alkalinizing agents (eg, antacids, sodium bicarbonate, acetazolamide), decongestants (eg, pseudoephedrine), propoxyphene, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (eg, lansoprazole, omeprazole), or sympathomimetic medicines (eg, albuterol) because they may increase the risk of Adderall's side effects
• Glutamic acid, haloperidol, lithium carbonate, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), PPIs (eg, lansoprazole, omeprazole), reserpine, urinary acidifiers (eg, methenamine, ammonium chloride), or vitamin C (ascorbic acid) because they may decrease Adderall's effectiveness
• Meperidine, norepinephrine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), tramadol, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, desipramine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Adderall
• Alpha-blockers (eg, prazosin), antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine), beta-blockers (eg, metoprolol), ethosuximide, guanadrel, guanethidine, medicines for high blood pressure, phenobarbital, or phenytoin because their effectiveness may be decreased by Adderall

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Adderall may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Adderall:

Use Adderall as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Adderall comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Adderall refilled.
• Take Adderall by mouth with or without food.
• Take your last dose of the day 4 to 6 hours before bedtime unless your doctor tells you differently.
• Do not take antacids (eg, calcium carbonate) or certain alkalinizing agents (eg, sodium bicarbonate) with Adderall without first talking with your doctor. They may increase the risk of Adderall's side effects.
• If you miss a dose of Adderall, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Adderall.

Important Adderall safety information:

• Adderall may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Adderall with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• When used to treat ADHD, Adderall should be used as part of an ADHD treatment program that includes a variety of treatment measures (eg, psychological, educational, social).
• Certain foods and medicines can affect the amount of acid in your stomach and intestine. This can increase or decrease (depending on the medicine) the absorption of Adderall. Tell your doctor if you take any of these products: fruit juice, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), sodium bicarbonate, ammonium chloride, sodium acid phosphate, ulcer medicines (eg, H2 blockers such as famotidine and ranitidine, PPIs such as omeprazole and lansoprazole), antacids, methenamine, or acetazolamide.
• Serious effects, including a heart attack, stroke, and sudden death, have occurred with the use of stimulant medicines in patients with heart defects or other serious heart problems. If you have a heart defect or other serious problem, talk with your doctor about other therapies to treat your condition.
• Avoid large amounts of food or drink that have caffeine (eg, coffee, tea, cocoa, cola, chocolate).
• Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has a decongestant in it. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Adderall before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Adderall may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Adderall. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Adderall may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Adderall.
• Lab tests, including blood pressure, pulse, and heart function, may be performed while you use Adderall. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Adderall should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 3 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Adderall may affect growth rate and weight gain in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth and weight checks while they take Adderall.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Adderall may cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Adderall while you are pregnant. Adderall is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Adderall.

When used for long periods of time or at high doses, Adderall may not work as well and may require higher doses to obtain the same effect as when originally taken. This is known as TOLERANCE. Talk with your doctor if Adderall stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.

When used for longer than a few weeks or at high doses, some people develop a need to continue taking Adderall. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction.

Do not suddenly stop taking Adderall. If you do, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include feeling unwell or unhappy, anxious or irritable, dizzy, confused, or sluggish. You may also have nausea, unusual skin sensations, mood swings, headache, trouble sleeping, or sweating. If you need to stop Adderall, your doctor will lower your dose over time.

Possible side effects of Adderall:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; restlessness; stomach pain or upset; trouble sleeping; unpleasant taste; vomiting; weakness; weight loss.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision or other vision problems; change in sexual ability or desire; chest pain; confusion; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; new or worsening mental or mood problems (eg, aggression, agitation, anxiety, delusions, depression, hallucination, hostility); numbness or tingling of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; painful or frequent urination; red, swollen, peeling, or blistered skin; seizures; severe or persistent headache; severe stomach pain; severe weight loss; shortness of breath; sudden, severe dizziness or vomiting; slurred speech; uncontrolled muscle movement; unusual weakness or tiredness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; fast breathing; fever; hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; muscle pain or tenderness; seizures; severe mental or mood changes; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; severe restlessness.

Proper storage of Adderall:

Store Adderall at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, light, and moisture. Keep Adderall out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information about Adderall:

• If you have any questions about Adderall, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Adderall is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Adderall. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: May 4, 2011

back to top

Adderall XR (amphetamines) full prescribing information
Adderall Medication Guide

Detailed Info on Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments of ADHD

back to: Psychiatric Medication Patient Information Index