Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine may cause sudden death in children and teenagers, especially children or teenagers with heart defects or serious heart problems. The combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine should not be used to treat excessive tiredness that is not caused by narcolepsy. The medication in each product is absorbed differently by the body, so one dextroamphetamine and amphetamine product cannot be substituted for another product. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking dextroamphetamine and amphetamine from time to time to see if the medication is still needed.
Other less common side effects include stomach pain and nausea. Adderall has the same potential side effects as all stimulant drugs. Adderall belongs to a group of medications called stimulants.

Before Taking Dextroamphetamine And Amphetamine,
Do not share amphetamine/dextroamphetamine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. Some people who have taken amphetamine/dextroamphetamine have reported having seizures. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. Children taking amphetamine/dextroamphetamine may be at a higher risk of not gaining height and weight as expected. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms or if you have been told by others you have these symptoms. People who already have a mental health condition, such as bipolar disorder, may be at a higher risk of these side effects.
Medical Professionals
Other Schedule II Drugs include Dexedrine, Ritalin, and cocaine, all of which have a high potential for abuse. “Schedule II” is the classification used by the Drug Enforcement Agency to indicate drugs with a high potential for abuse. Adderall has a high potential for abuse and dependence, especially among people who do not have ADHD. For more information about potential side effects, see the National Institute of Health’s Guide. This is not a complete list of side effects and considerations.

Does Adderall Have Side Effects?
Adderall can boost this energy and offer nootropic effects, and get us to work faster and harder. In addition, studies show that many students turn to Adderall and other performance-enhancing drugs to study. People who are bipolar can experience symptoms similar to ADHD when they are in a manic mood, like difficulty paying attention, restlessness, and trouble with impulsivity. These benefits can have beneficial effects on a person’s wellness and fight mental illness.
Can Adderall Be Used For Weight Loss, Depression, Or Anxiety?
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific amphetamine/dextroamphetamine products they stock. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take amphetamine/dextroamphetamine. Call your health care provider right away if you have any new or worsening tics. Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine may cause or worsen tics, which are sudden, repetitive movements or sounds that can be hard to control.

Symptoms Of An Overdose
It is not known if or how amphetamine/dextroamphetamine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following. Tell your health care provider if you or anyone in your family has had mental health problems, including psychosis, bipolar disorder, mania, depression, or suicide.
What If I Miss A Dose?
The extended-release formulation produces effects that last between 10 and 12 hours, whereas the instant-release formulation’s effects last from about 4 to 8 hours. Amphetamine was first synthesized in the 1880s, though its effects were not well understood at the time. Owing to its stimulant effects, however, Adderall is also prone to misuse, often being taken to enhance athletic performance or cognition or to produce euphoria. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Adderall usually is taken once or twice a day.
The medication is effective as soon as it crosses the blood-brain barrier. Loss of appetite is much more common in children who were already thin or picky eaters before taking Adderall. Suppression of appetite is a side effect of Adderall, and people taking it often lose weight. Raising the dose of Adderall does not increase its level of benefits.
What Is Adderall Used For? Benefits, Dosage, And Side Effects
For children and adults aged 12 years and above, the FDA recommend a starting dosage of 10 mg per day. For children 6–12 years in age, a doctor may prescribe Adderall at an initial dosage of 5 mg per day. For children aged 6 years or above, the recommended starting dosage is 5 mg once or twice per day. In some cases, people who take large doses of Adderall for an extended period may become physically dependent on the drug.

The typical starting dosage of Adderall IR for children ages 3 to 5 years is 2.5 mg taken each morning when they first wake up. The typical starting dosage of Adderall IR is 5 mg taken once or twice per day. Adderall XR isn’t recommended for use in children less than 6 years of age and isn’t used to treat narcolepsy. Adderall IR is used to help treat ADHD and narcolepsy in certain children. Do not take doses of Adderall late in the day or in the evening, as this may cause sleeping difficulties.
- People who are bipolar can experience symptoms similar to ADHD when they are in a manic mood, like difficulty paying attention, restlessness, and trouble with impulsivity.
- Or they may recommend other ways to manage your symptoms or prescribe a different ADHD medication.
- Do not take Adderall late in the day or in the evening, as this may affect your sleep.
- For some medications, a child’s dosage is based on their body weight.
- The first step is to get an accurate diagnosis by a healthcare professional.
For children under 16, it may be that a higher dose is needed. Side effects that persist longer than one week can be quickly managed by lowering the dose or changing to a methylphenidate stimulant. Tolerance develops to the side effects of Adderall IR and XR in five to seven days. Some people are very sensitive to the dose of Adderall IR and Adderall XR, discerning a 2mg or 3mg difference in the dose.
Before prescribing Adderall, your doctor will assess your risk of misuse and dependence. (Misuse means taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it.) Adderall has a boxed warning for the risks of misuse and dependence. Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may cover both brand-name and generic Adderall.
Be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes. The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.