Get Informed: Adderall

141

Patient Comments about
Adderall

Active Ingredient(s)

Adderall

What does it do?

Adderall

This product is used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This product contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which are believed to have an effect on norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain.

Last Text Update:
 2010-Mar-21 5:11 AM
Last Data Update:
 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM

Other Names

  • Adderall XR
  • Adderall
  • Amphetamine Salts

How Safe Is It?

Your Risk Rating
Please log in
Average Risk Rating
4: Elevated
Pregnancy Category:
C

Black Box Warning

This product has a black box warning relating to its risk of abuse, dependence and serious cardiovascular events.

Facts & Figures

Date Approved
19 Jan 1960
Est US Patients*
4,197,000
Generic Available
Yes
OTC Available
No

User Age Distribution*

37

< 21

36

21-39

23

40-59

4

60+

Age (Years)

* Estimated number of US people currently taking Adderall or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.

Other Resources

Recent alerts for Adderall

Adderall Safety Report

4: Elevated

The iGuard risk rating for Adderall is orange. This rating takes into account the fact that Adderall has been associated with high rates of abuse and should be managed carefully. It means that Adderall should normally be used cautiously to minimize the risk of serious side effects.

Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings

  • Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Adderall interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.

What is Adderall used for?

iGuard is currently tracking more than 27,900 patients that use Adderall (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.

Disease / Condition % Average Severity
Attention Deficit Disorder 91% 6
Chronic Fatigue 26% 7
Depression 9% 7
Other 2% 5

How well does Adderall work?

iGuard regularly polls our more than 27,900 users taking Adderall (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.

Average Satisfaction Score

(out of 10)

Average Effectiveness Score

(out of 10)

72 73
86%
of patients are confident that the good things about Adderall outweigh the bad things.
2%
of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Adderall.

Common Side Effects of Adderall

iGuard regularly polls our more than 27,900 users taking Adderall (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.

42%

42% of patients experience side-effects on Adderall

6%

6% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Adderall


Most Common Side Effects...

  • 10% Insomnia
  • 5% Weight Loss
  • 5% Anxiety
  • 5% Mood/Behavior Changes
  • 5% Dryness
  • 5% Loss of Appetite
  • 5% Restlessness
  • 5% Tremor
  • = 10%

Less than 1%: Itch/Rash, Vision Changes


Global Patient Feedback for Adderall ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
Show Newest | Oldest first

Question/Comment:

Over the last few wks I've noticed that I'm ALOT more scattered than usual.I have been under alot more stress & have really been short fused.I can't stay focused on any one thing.I had a full lab workup 2 wks ago,and was told some of the issues are hormonal & that I suffer from chronic fatigue.Adderall does not "pep" me up,it definately keeps me focused,or at least it used to.I wonder if my dose needs to be increased maybe? I take 10mg 3x per day. I have a weight problem too (underweight).

45 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-03-08 00:06:14

Question/Comment:

I AM A 35YR OLD FEMALE. I TAKE THE GENERIC ADDERALL 60MG A DAY. I HAVE HAD MODERATE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IN THE LAST YEAR, ABOUT AVERAGE OF 140/95. I HAVE BEEN ON ADDERALL ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW. COULD THIS HAVE CAUSED IT? i'VE ALSO BEEN ON BIRTH CONTROL PILLS TOO, HEARD THIS CAN CAUSE A HIGH BP!? JUST CURIOUS IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS SIDE EFFECT FROM ADDERLL? I ACTUALLY TAKE ADDERALL FOR SEVERE DEPRESSION ALONG WITH PAXIL, IT HAS MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE FOR THE GOOD.I'M NOT OVERWEIGHT.

35 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-02-20 14:54:24

iGuard Answer/Reply:

Both Adderall and birth control pills can cause high blood pressure. Make sure your physician is aware of all the medication you are taking. The incidence of high blood pressure caused by birth control pills tends to increase with age. High blood pressure from the birth control pill is related to the progesterone concentration. It does seem to resolve when the birth control pills are discontinued. Make an appointment with your physician to discuss your options.

Posted: 2010-02-24 11:26:10

Question/Comment:

I am a 32 year old female and I take 40 mg Adderall XR. My life has changed since I have been taking this medication. I have always had trouble paying attention or reading a book. Now I read books, and am interested in all kinds of things that could never hold my attention before. The only side effect I have is I am not hungry as much but, that is not all that bad. I have been taking this medication for 2 years now.

32 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-11-18 13:31:19

Question/Comment:

I take 30mg IR adderall and 20mg IR adderall at 2.pm but it dose not make me focus and pep my spirt up like it is suppose to, i do take .5mg of ativan at 11,pm and 3mg risperidone at night. Now my question is would these medications clash with each other causing adverse side affects.

16 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-11-01 15:46:05

iGuard Answer/Reply:

When taking Adderall for therapeutic reasons, it will not produce a "pep in spirit" necessarily. If it is not helping you focus though, you need to discuss it with your physician because a different medication could help you more.

Ativan and risperidone can cause drowsiness - if you feel that you are more sleepy than normal when you wake up in the morning, it may be even harder for you to focus and the Adderall may not work as well. Please follow up with your doctor and discuss your concerns with your medications.

Posted: 2009-11-01 22:50:53

Question/Comment:

I have noticed a frightening change in my hair (serious thining-mainly towards the front of my head). I understand that it could be due to stress BUT I came out of the womb stressed out and have always had abnormally thick hair. I'm curious to find out if anyone else has experienced this while on adderral. My dosage is generic peach 5/ 20mg daily (I've taken this for about 5yrs now). The only explanation I can think of is-maybe the adderral intensives the level of stress that I experience and that's why my hair seems to be thinning at a abnormal rate?

34 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-09-10 23:06:23

Answer/Reply:

I have also noticed my hair thinning out alot since I have started taking adderral. I take 20mg xr and 10mg salt/combo in the am, and 20mg salt combo again in the pm. Went to my doctor when I began to notice my hair and he sent me to get some blood work done and everything came out ok so i to am at a loss about what to do also??

31 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-09-15 00:40:02

iGuard Answer/Reply:

Hair loss was not listed as a reported side effect for patients taking Adderall in the manufacturer's information. In addition, there is no documentation from iGuard patients who take Adderall reporting loss of hair. If you are still experiencing hair loss, you should contact your doctor to report this effect.


Posted: 2009-09-15 23:11:43

Answer/Reply:

I take adderall also (higher dose than yours); however, as a female who has been your age and experienced the same thing, I think the hair loss is more related to hormonal changes than effects of the medication. I lost a substantial amount of hair in my 30's...it did slow down in the 40's. And if hair loss runs in your family, you've got a genetic factor at work also.

53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-10-16 08:15:25

Answer/Reply:

I have been taking Adderall for 5 mts. It has dramatically changed my life-for the better! However, prior to this I started losing my hair. My hair has always been thick too, but over a 10 mt. period it came out (mostly in front like yours)leaving horribly noticeble thin hair. All bldwk done was normal. I was told by 2 different dr's that my diet had nothing to do w/ it(225lbs to 118lbs over 1yr.)since I was on strong vitamins. Their diagnosis:Stress. I've been stressed my whole life so I knew that wasn't it!When I started eating right again, my hair slowly started growing back. So if Adderall has affected your appetite over time, your hair loss is probably due to poor nutrition.

37 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-12-05 19:34:46

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