How to Begin an Adult's Daily Dose of Adderall for ADHD

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Adderall and Adderall XR are the most commonly prescribed medications used to treat ADHD in adults. Both medications contain the same active ingredients--a mixture of amphetamine salts--and both are commonly referred to as Adderal. Adderall XR is prescribed more frequently because of its longer duration; regular Adderall is used when the cost of Adderall XR is prohibitive.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Avoid taking the first dose of Adderall on the day you receive the prescription, unless you receive the medication very early in the morning. Until you've learned how long the medication lasts for you, it's best to take it as soon as you wake up to prevent insomnia.

2. Take Adderall on an empty stomach or with a light snack. Food and drink can have a significant impact on how well your body absorbs Adderall. It's especially important to avoid anything acidic or high in fat immediately before or after taking this medication.

3. Swallow the Adderall capsule whole and wash it down with a full glass of water. If you have trouble swallowing pills, you can empty the capsule into a spoonful of applesauce, but don't crush or chew the contents.

4. Avoid driving until you're accustomed to taking Adderall and know how you respond to the medication. Some people become dizzy or disoriented when they begin taking this medication.

5. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly when taking Adderall, even if you find that it's not working as well as you would like after the first few days. Most people need to have their dose increased over a period of weeks or months, but this must be done gradually under a doctor's supervision to prevent serious side effects.

Tips & Warnings

• Adderall can decrease your appetite. If this becomes a problem, you may need to eat a large meal in the evening or make a special effort to eat healthy snacks throughout the day. As you begin taking Adderall, it's a good idea to keep a log to track how well your symptoms are controlled and how long the medication works, as well as any side effects. This information can help your doctor decide whether your dose or how frequently you take the medication should be changed. Although Adderall XR can work for up to 12 hours, many people find that it only lasts 6 to 8 hours. If this happens, you can take your dose later in the day so that it's most effective during work or classes. In some cases, your doctor may decide that you should take Adderall XR twice a day.
• Adderall has rarely been associated with serious, life-threatening side effects. Stop taking this medication immediately and seek emergency help if you experience symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. Adderall interacts with many different medications, including over-the-counter cold medication, antacids and heartburn remedies. Make sure your doctor is aware of every medication you take, and ask for advice before taking over-the-counter medicines. Combining Adderall with dental anesthetics (such as Novocain) can increase your blood pressure and heart rate. Ask your doctor if you should temporarily stop taking Adderall before you have dental work done. This is especially important if you have high blood pressure or a history of heart disease or stroke. Adderall is a Schedule II controlled substance, so it carries some risk of drug abuse and dependence. Although this is unlikely if you take your medication exactly as prescribed, you should still let your doctor know if you begin to feel like you crave the drug or if you're tempted to take more than your prescribed dose. It is a felony to give or sell Adderall to another person.

Resources

• Adderall Full Prescribing Information (PDF)
• Adderall XR Full Prescribing Information (PDF)

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