Crucial information on Adderall: mechanism of action, precautions, dosage schedule, side effects, and warnings regarding the safety of use.

General drug info

Adderall is a highly useful substance in the treatment of narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Its pharmaceutical formula comprises a mixture of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Said molecules possess stimulatory capabilities in regard to the central nervous system. This medicine interacts with the brain biochemistry improving your control over excessive excitability and impulsiveness. Unofficially, this drug is often used by students seeking to facilitate academic performance and stay out of sleep over longer periods of time. Its components influence both the CNS and PNS and thanks to their solubility in fats, they are able to pass through the blood-brain barrier unhindered. They primarily alter the quantities of dopamine and norepinephrine that post-synaptic neurons can access. These active agents are said to influence similarly the metabolic cycles of epinephrine, serotonin, and histamine.

Precautions

Prior to proceeding with the therapy, make sure your MD is aware of the history of your diseases, in particular: • issues with the circulatory system (e.g. Raynaud’s disease); • poor mental health, uncontrollable moods (e.g. fits of intense agitation, psychopathy); • if any of your family members have been affected mentally (including bipolar disorder, persisting low moods, psychoses, ideas about taking own life); • hyperactive thyroid; • certain vision issues (e.g. glaucoma); • if you personally or any of your family members have had episodes of substance abuse (e.g. excessive consumption of drugs/alcohol, pharmaceutical dependences); • uncontrollable muscular episodes, tics (e.g. seizures, Tourette’s syndrome); • dysfunctional kidneys or liver. Patients with heart problems comprise an individual category of danger. Special attention should be given to cases marked by arrhythmic events (irregularities in heartbeat), coronary artery disorder, heart failure or strokes, pathologies of the heart muscle, and/or structural pathologies (ineffective valve function), abnormal blood pressure, family episodes of severe heart issues (e.g. sudden death, arrhythmia).

Dosing information

ADHD

Adults should start their dosing regimen with the minimal amount of 5 mg once or twice per 24 hours (for tablets) or 20 mg once daily for XR capsules. It is possible to increase the intake by 5 mg weekly until the desirable outcome is reached.

Narcolepsy

10 mg once a day for adults. Dose adjustments are possible at a rate of 10 mg per week.

Schedule notes

The initial dose of the medication is normally taken first thing in your waking hours. Any extra doses are to be taken no more often than every four to six hours. Check with your doctor the dosing particulars for underage children. Prescription is not available for patients younger than 3 years of age.

Adverse reactions

Certain serious side effects are as follows: • painful feeling in the chest area; • labored breathing; • ‘swimming’ head; • hallucinating people or things; • unprecedented behavioral issues (violent behavior; paranoia, enmity); • numb limbs; • feeling chilly; • inexplicable lesions; • weird skin color on fingers or toes; • unprecedented convulsions; • involuntarily twitching muscles; • vision disturbances.

Important notes

Stimulant medications have been reported to aggravate motor and phonic tics, including Tourette’s syndrome. Therefore, patients should make use of clinical evaluation for such impairments before proceeding with this medicine. This drug is capable of causing dizziness. The feeling of swimming head may be worsened by consumption of alcohol drinks or marijuana. Avoid being on the road or using any other types of machinery that requires alertness. Limit the intake of ethanol-based drinks. Consult your doctor regarding the accompanying use of cannabis.

Verdict

Amphetamines put you at a high risk for abuse. While Adderall works in short therapies, any attempt at a prolonged administration puts you in danger of getting drug dependent. Special care should be exercised with subjects able to obtain drugs of this class for recreational use or distribution to other people, so the substance must be dispensed or prescribed sparingly.