How Does Adderall Work for ADD?
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Patient Evaluation
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Adderall is a mixture of four amphetamine salts that, when taken, stimulate the brain. When a patient is diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, a physician may prescribe the drug as a method to encourage concentration.
Before prescribing Adderall, a physician should evaluate the patient for potential negative drug interactions or pre-existing conditions, such as those who are taking medication for heart disease, an overactive thyroid, glaucoma or anxiety. Patients with heart defects or problems, epilepsy or muscle twitches should be seriously evaluated for potential side effects.
Types of Adderall
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Adderall is available in immediate or extended release form and is prescribed in a variety of doses.
Immediate release treatments enter the body and dissolve and typically take 1.5 hours to release.
Extended release treatments enter the bloodstream, and a portion of the medication immediately bursts and active ingredients enter the body. The remaining portion slowly dissolves and does not fully disintegrate until about four hours later.
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Entering the Bloodstream
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Once either form of Adderall enters the bloodstream, the active ingredients (amphetamines) stimulate the brain's production of norepinephrine and dopamine. Both of these hormones are associated with attention and behavior. The drug also prevents these hormones from being quickly absorbed back into the body, and the slower absorption by the brain improves a person's concentration abilities and alertness.
Also, those with ADD have a sympathetic nervous system that tends to run "faster" than those without the disorder. Blood pressure may be increased and heart rate may be faster. In those who have brain disorders in relation to ADD, Adderall has the effect of slowing these systems down. When taken by someone who does not have ADD, the effect may be in reverse and can be very dangerous.
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