Adderall - a stimulant and appetite suppressant

Adderall warnings

2006-10-07T10:01:00.001-07:00

Psychosis: Clinical experience suggests that in psychotic children, administration of amphetamine may exacerbate symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder.

Long-Term Suppression of Growth: Data are inadequate to determine whether chronic administration of amphetamine may be associated with growth inhibition; therefore, growth should be monitored during treatment.

Sudden Death and Pre-existing Structural Cardiac Abnormalities: Sudden death has been reported in association with amphetamine treatment at usual doses in children with structural cardiac abnormalities. Adderall generally should not be used in children or adults with structural cardiac abnormalities.

Usage in Nursing Mothers: Amphetamines are excreted in human milk. Mothers taking amphetamines should be advised to refrain from nursing.
PRECAUTIONS

General: The least amount feasible should be prescribed or dispensed at one time in order to minimize the possibility of overdosage.

Hypertension: Caution is to be exercised in prescribing amphetamines for patients with even mild hypertension. Blood pressure and pulse should be monitored at appropriate intervals in patients taking Adderall, especially patients with hypertension.

Carcinogenesis/Mutagenesis: Mutagenicity studies and long-term studies in animals to determine the carcinogenic potential of amphetamine, have not been performed.

WARNINGS

Psychosis: Clinical experience suggests that in psychotic children, administration of amphetamine may exacerbate symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder.

Long-Term Suppression of Growth: Data are inadequate to determine whether chronic administration of amphetamine may be associated with growth inhibition; therefore, growth should be monitored during treatment.

Sudden Death and Pre-existing Structural Cardiac Abnormalities: Sudden death has been reported in association with amphetamine treatment at usual doses in children with structural cardiac abnormalities. Adderall generally should not be used in children or adults with structural cardiac abnormalities.

Usage in Nursing Mothers: Amphetamines are excreted in human milk. Mothers taking amphetamines should be advised to refrain from nursing.
PRECAUTIONS

General: The least amount feasible should be prescribed or dispensed at one time in order to minimize the possibility of overdosage.

Hypertension: Caution is to be exercised in prescribing amphetamines for patients with even mild hypertension. Blood pressure and pulse should be monitored at appropriate intervals in patients taking Adderall, especially patients with hypertension.

Pregnancy - Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category C. Amphetamine has been shown to have embryotoxic and teratogenic effects when administered to A/Jax mice and C57BL mice in doses approximately 41 times the maximum human dose. Embryotoxic effects were not seen in New Zealand white rabbits given the drug in doses 7 times the human dose nor in rats given 12.5 times the maximum human dose. While there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, there has been one report of severe congenital bony deformity, tracheoesophageal fistula, and anal atresia (vater association) in a baby born to a woman who took dextroamphetamine sulfate with lovastatin during the first trimester of pregnancy. Amphetamines should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Nonteratogenic Effects: Infants born to mothers dependent on amphetamines have an increased risk of premature delivery and low birth weight. Also, these infants may experience symptoms of withdrawal as demonstrated by dysphoria, including agitation, and significant lassitude.

Pediatric Use: Long-term effects of amphetamines in children have not been well established. Amphetamines are not recommended for use in children under 3 years of age with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity described under INDICATIONS AND USAGE.

Amphetamines have been reported to exacerbate motor and phonic tics and Tourette’s syndrome. Therefore, clinical evaluation for tics and Tourette’s syndrome in children and their families should precede use of stimulant medications.

Drug treatment is not indicated in all cases of Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity and should be considered only in light of the complete history and evaluation of the child. The decision to prescribe amphetamines should depend on the physician’s assessment of the chronicity and severity of the child’s symptoms and their appropriateness for his/her age. Prescription should not depend solely on the presence of one or more of the behavioral characteristics. When these symptoms are associated with acute stress reactions, treatment with amphetamines is usually not indicated.

Adderall warnings

2006-10-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

Are There Any Interactions of Adderall With Drugs or Foods?

2006-06-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

# Adderall may interact with other medicines. These interactions can cause serious side effects. Tell your healthcare professional about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take, especially:

* Those used to treat depression, known as tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)
* Antacids
* Those used to treat urinary problems
* Diuretics
* Propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), a pain medicine

Adderall Side effects

2006-06-25T06:26:00.000-07:00

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you or your child to continue taking Adderall.

* Side effects may include:
Accidental injury, changes in sex drive, constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, emotional instability, exaggerated feelings of well-being, fatigue, fever, headache, high blood pressure, hives, impotence, indigestion, infections, insomnia, loss of appetite, mental disturbances, nausea, nervousness, overstimulation, rapid or pounding heartbeat, restlessness, stomach and intestinal disturbances, tremor, twitches, unpleasant taste, vomiting, weakened heart, weight loss, worsening of tics (including Tourette's syndrome)

2006-01-14T15:29:00.000-08:00

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an Adderall overdose include restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, an irregular heartbeat, and seizures.

What should I avoid while taking Adderall?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Adderall may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities.

Do not take Adderall late in the day. A dose taken too late in the day may cause insomnia.

What other drugs will affect Adderall?

2006-01-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

Do not take Adderall if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days.

Before taking Adderall, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

insulin or another medicine to treat diabetes;

guanethidine (Ismelin) or reserpine (Diutensin-R);

doxazosin (Cardura), terazosin (Hytrin), prazosin (Minipress), or guanadrel(Hylorel);

a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine);

lithium (Lithobid, Lithonate, Eskalith, others);

haloperidol (Haldol); or

a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), or desipramine (Norpramin).

You may not be able to take Adderall, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Adderall. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

What are the possible side effects of Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine)?

2006-01-02T13:52:00.000-08:00

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking amphetamine-dextroamphetamine and seek emergency medical attention:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

an irregular heartbeat or very high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or

hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or confusion.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take amphetamine-dextroamphetamine and talk to your doctor if you experience

restlessness or tremor;

anxiety or nervousness;

headache or dizziness;

insomnia;

dryness of the mouth or an unpleasant taste in the mouth;

diarrhea or constipation; or

impotence or changes in sex drive.

Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine is habit forming. Physical and psychological dependence may occur with the use of this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome

How should I take Adderall?

2005-12-31T04:55:00.000-08:00

Take Adderall exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions , ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Do not crush or chew the extended-release form of Adderall (Adderall XR). If swallowing the capsules is difficult, a capsule can be opened and the entire contents sprinkled on a small amount of applesauce. The mixture should be consumed immediately, and not saved for later use. The mixture should be swallowed whole, without chewing the sprinkled beads. The dose of a single capsule should not be divided.

Taking Adderall in the late afternoon or evening may cause insomnia. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding when to take the medication.

Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too much Adderall could be dangerous.

Store Adderall at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

2005-12-29T02:49:00.000-08:00

What is the most important information I should know about Adderall?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Adderall may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities.
• Adderall is habit forming. Physical and psychological dependence may occur with the use of this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually.
• Do not crush or chew the extended-release form of Adderall (Adderall XR). If swallowing the capsules is difficult, a capsule can be opened and the entire contents sprinkled on a small amount of applesauce. The mixture should be consumed immediately, and not saved for later use. The mixture should be swallowed whole, without chewing the sprinkled beads. The dose of a single capsule should not be divided.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Adderall?

2005-12-29T03:29:00.000-08:00

• Do not take Adderall if you
·have heart disease or high blood pressure;
·have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries);
·have glaucoma;
·have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days; or
·have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
·thyroid problems;
· an anxiety disorder;
·epilepsy or another seizure disorder; or
·diabetes.

• You may not be able to take Adderall, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

• Adderall is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Adderall without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

• Adderall passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take Adderall without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.