Why is adderall prescribed to adults

Currently for adults, there is one approved nonstimulant, Strattera atomoxetine , and five approved sustained-release stimulants — two of which are Ritalin -based methylphenidate and three that are amphetamine-based including Adderall. Healthy lifestyle modifications can also be beneficial. Some mindfulness therapies can be quite helpful in terms of relaxation techniques, he adds. If treatment is effective, you would want to see at least a 30 percent improvement in your overall symptoms, he notes.

Or having a child diagnosed with ADHD and recognizing your own symptoms. There is a small amount of literature showing that hyperactive-impulsive behavior may come forward again as people age. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. I hope it does the same for me. Keep the positive energy flowing! I will touch base again after this week and let you know how things go. Thanks again! Thank you for describing your experience.

I too felt a sense of relief after reading. I have benefited in so many ways from Adderall — similar to the benefits you experience,as well as helping with symptoms of depression. Recently, I have been struggling with my psychiatrist about continuing Adderall despite its effectiveness. Unfortunately, I have no option to seek a new provider because my current psy is the only one to accept my insurance within 25 miles of my home.

I have not ever looked to Adderall as a quick fix or as a sole source to treat my symptoms. This is the first time I have ever posted to this or any other site. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar? I am admittedly feeling desperate and low. I have not felt so bad in some time, and each day feels worse than the previous one. I welcome any feedback, suggestions. BTW I had an candid exchange with my psychiatrist and tried to explain felt more like convincing my positive experience with Adderall.

Thanks very much for listening. Adderall has also changed my life as I was diagnosed at age 54 with ADHD inattentive type and general anxiety disorder. Since taking Adderall I have reduced citalopram by half the dose daily and could not function without my daily dosage of Adderall. I used to Nap for hours a day on the weekend, but rarely nap now. I was so relieved when I came across your blog today. Guilt consumed me as well.

Medical tests ruled out anything concrete, so my psychiatrist gave me a prescription for Adderall. As Adreana commented above, I too became discouraged after seeing nothing but negative talk about it online.

Article after article left me wondering— maybe my family had been justified all these years in their feelings towards me? Maybe they were right to shame me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Reading this was so relieving to me. Calls to the doctor or simple tasks still sometimes feel like marathons! Moving into adulthood and especially the advent of the internet changed my world to a large degree as i can move through info as fast as I want and KEEP myself focused in subjects although moving very fast from one to another.

Over the years I have mastered many coping strategies, making my world smaller, checklists, avoiding stress and social situations.

Recently I was prescribed Pentermine for weight loss which worked very well. After experiencing this clarifying relief I saw to a clinical Psychologist-Phd, went through the testing and was diagnosed.

The fear? Oh my gawd the fear…the ignoring those things which stress, confuse or things that have to be done? The OP here could have been written by me had I known the symptoms or how this was affecting my life. I have a appointment to see my MD and hope to start Adderall this week. Thank you for this article. I was diagnosed a few years ago with ADHD in my early fourties. Adderall can cause a loss of appetite.

Because of this side effect, some people misuse Adderall as a weight loss aid. Adderall is often misused by people without ADHD to increase focus, concentration, and endurance when studying. This occurs especially often with college students. In addition, it could worsen memory. Adderall tablets are approved for treating ADHD in children ages 3 years and older. Adderall tablets are also approved for treating narcolepsy in children ages 6 years and older.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor to learn more about other medications that may work well for you. Adderall belongs to a class of medications called stimulants. Drugs in this class are usually considered the first choice of medications for treating ADHD. Other stimulants that are options for treating ADHD include:. Some people also use herbs and dietary supplements to treat ADHD.

For most of these supplements, there is very little research showing that they work, or research findings are inconsistent. Examples of these supplements include:. Despite these similarities, there are some differences between the drugs that might make you prefer one over the other. Vyvanse is approved for treating ADHD and binge eating disorder. Vyvanse is also used off-label to treat narcolepsy. Adderall comes in two forms: an immediate-release tablet Adderall and an extended-release capsule Adderall XR.

Vyvanse is available as a delayed-release capsule and a chewable tablet, both of which are taken once daily. The chewable tablet may be a good option for those who have a hard time swallowing pills. However, individual people may respond better to one over the other. Because Adderall and Vyvanse are very similar medications, they also have similar side effects and drug interactions. Both medications can cause psychological and physical dependence and can be misused or abused.

However, Vyvanse may be less likely to be misused. This is because Adderall has a more immediate and intense effect when taken, which might be attractive to people who want to misuse it. The costs of brand-name versions of Adderall and Vyvanse are similar. However, Adderall is also available in a generic form, while Vyvanse is not. The FDA has determined that the patent for Vyvanse is valid until It will be at least until then before a generic for Vyvanse is available.

Generic drugs are typically less expensive than brand-name drugs. But in some cases, the brand-name drug and the generic version may be available in different forms and strengths. However, there are some differences that might make you prefer one over the other. The Adderall tablet is taken one to three times daily. Adderall XR is taken just once daily.

Like Adderall, Ritalin also comes in two forms: an immediate-release Ritalin tablet and an extended-release capsule Ritalin LA. Ritalin tablet is taken two to three times daily, and Ritalin LA is taken once daily. Generic versions of Ritalin also come in other dosage forms, including a chewable tablet and an oral liquid solution.

These forms may be a good option for people who have a hard time swallowing pills. However, individual people may respond better to one than the other. Ritalin tablets may work slightly faster than Adderall. However, Adderall works for a slightly longer period of time than Ritalin:. Adderall and Ritalin are very similar medications. They also have similar side effects and drug interactions. The cost of brand-name versions of Adderall and Ritalin are similar.

The actual amount you pay will vary depending on your health insurance plan. Adderall and Ritalin are both available in generic forms. The generic name for Ritalin is methylphenidate. Adderall and Concerta methylphenidate extended-release are medications that are commonly used for ADHD. They are both stimulant medications and work in a similar way.

There are some differences that might make you prefer one over the other. Adderall is also approved for narcolepsy, but Concerta is not. Concerta is used off-label to treat narcolepsy. Adderall comes in two forms: an immediate-release Adderall tablet and an extended-release capsule Adderall XR. One difference between the drugs is how fast they work and how long they last. Adderall may work slightly faster, but Concerta lasts longer:. Adderall and Concerta are very similar medications.

Both medications can cause psychological and physical dependence, and can be misused or abused. Both Adderall and Concerta are brand-name drugs. The generic name of Concerta is methylphenidate extended-release. Adderall and modafinil, a generic drug, are both stimulant medications, but they affect the brain in slightly different ways. Modafinil increases wakefulness and alertness. Adderall can also stimulate wakefulness and, in people with ADHD , can produce feelings of calm and focus.

Modafinil is approved to treat narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder, and sleep apnea. Modafinil is used off-label to treat ADHD. Both Adderall and modafinil are effective treatment options for daytime sleepiness in people who have narcolepsy. Adderall is considered a first-choice medication for treating symptoms of ADHD. Adderall and modafinil are both stimulants and have some similar side effects. However, Adderall is more likely to cause side effects than modafinil.

Both Adderall and modafinil can cause physical and psychological dependence leading to misuse or abuse. However, dependence appears to be more common with Adderall than modafinil.

Due to these differences in side effect risk, modafinil is often preferred over Adderall for treating narcolepsy. Adderall and modafinil are both available in brand-name and generic versions.

The brand name of modafinil is Provigil. The generic versions of medications typically cost less. But in some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug. The generic version and the brand-name version Provigil of modafinil usually cost more than the brand-name and generic versions of Adderall. Adderall is a stimulant medication that increases norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain and produces calm and focus in people with ADHD.

It works as a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and increases the amount of norepinephrine in parts of the brain. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter , a chemical that sends messages between cells.

Adderall, a stimulant, is considered a first-choice treatment for ADHD. Stimulants are the best studied and most effective treatments for ADHD. Adderall and Strattera are both available in brand-name and generic versions. The generic name of Strattera is atomoxetine. The brand and generic versions of Strattera usually cost more than the brand and generic versions of Adderall. Adderall and methylphenidate are both commonly used to treat ADHD. Stimulants can also cause sudden death in patients with congenital heart defects or serious heart problems.

As a result, patients should alert their doctors if they have a history of heart disease, heart rhythm disorder, coronary artery disease or heart attacks, according to the NIH. Doctors should also be alerted if the patient has a history of high blood pressure , mental illness, peripheral vascular disease or seizure disorders.

Adults ages 65 and older should usually not take Adderall because it is not as safe as other medications for this age group, the NIH says. Some drug interactions could be harmful. The NIH says that people should not take Adderall if they have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor MAOI , a type of antidepressant, in the last two weeks.

For children with ADHD , or hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive symptoms that cause impairment and appear before the age of 7, Adderall can be considered part of a total treatment program. ADHD must be diagnosed through a series of tests that rule out other mental disorders.

Other treatment measures will include psychological, educational and social aspects — drug treatments may not even be necessary. For children with narcolepsy, the drug is approved for those ages 12 and older. Adderall is not intended for use in children who exhibit symptoms that are secondary to environmental factors or exhibit symptoms that indicate other psychiatric disorders, such as psychosis, according to the Food and Drug Administration FDA.