What is the average dose of adderall xr

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. Both are also used off-label for treating similar conditions, such as depression and anxiety , in combination with other medications.

The chewable and solution forms of methylphenidate may be good options for those who have trouble swallowing pills. Methylphenidate tablets may work slightly faster than Adderall. However, Adderall works for a slightly longer time than methylphenidate:.

Adderall and methylphenidate are very similar medications. Adderall is a brand-name medication. Methylphenidate is a generic medication. Brand-name Adderall costs more than generic methylphenidate. However, generic versions of Adderall cost about the same as generic methylphenidate. The exact cost will depend on your insurance. Deciding which medication to use may come down to which is covered by your insurance, the drug form that you prefer, and how your body responds to the medication.

Picking the best medication is often a matter of trial and error. Your doctor will guide you through the process of finding the right medication for you. Consuming alcohol with Adderall can be a dangerous combination for some, especially for those who drink too much. Drinking alcohol while taking Adderall can make you feel less drunk than you really are. This can lead you to drink too much. In addition to other effects, drinking too much may worsen symptoms of ADHD.

Consuming alcohol with Adderall can also increase your risk of heart-related side effects such as:. Adderall can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as some foods. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects.

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Adderall. Before taking Adderall, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take.

Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Medications that reduce the amount of acid in your stomach can increase the amount of Adderall your body absorbs.

This can raise your risk of side effects. Examples of acid-reducing drugs include:. Taking Adderall with MAOIs can increase the risk of dangerous side effects, such as very high blood pressure , chest pain , severe headache , and increased body temperature.

Taking Adderall with medications that increase serotonin in your body can raise your risk of developing serotonin syndrome , a drug reaction that can be dangerous. If you take any of these medications, you may need to start with a lower dosage of Adderall.

Taking Adderall with a tricyclic antidepressant can increase the effects of Adderall in your body and increase your risk of heart-related effects and other side effects. Examples of tricyclic antidepressants include:. Taking Adderall with certain medications that block how the body breaks down Adderall can result in an increased risk of serious side effects, including serotonin syndrome.

If you take these medications, you may need to start with a lower dosage of Adderall. Examples of these medications include:. Adderall and Xanax alprazolam are sometimes prescribed together, especially for those who have both ADHD and anxiety.

Adderall helps improve concentration and focus, while Xanax is calming and can help relieve symptoms of anxiety. Adderall and Prozac fluoxetine are sometimes prescribed together, especially for people who have both ADHD and other conditions. These conditions include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Adderall helps improve concentration and focus in people with ADHD.

Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI antidepressant that can improve symptoms of depression. These medications should only be taken together if your doctor prescribes them. Combining Adderall and Prozac can increase your risk of developing serotonin syndrome , a drug reaction that can be dangerous. Adderall and Zoloft sertraline are sometimes prescribed together, especially for people who have both ADHD and other conditions such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI antidepressant that can improve symptoms of depression. Combining Adderall and Zoloft can increase your risk of developing serotonin syndrome , a drug reaction that can be dangerous.

Adderall can interact with certain vitamins, supplements, or herbs you may be taking. Taking vitamin C supplements can make your stomach more acidic and can decrease the amount of Adderall your body absorbs.

This can make Adderall less effective. Supplements that affect serotonin can increase your risk of developing serotonin syndrome. Taking Adderall with marijuana cannabis can increase your risk of heart-related side effects. These include rapid heartbeat , arrhythmia irregular heartbeat , and heart attack.

Fruit juices are often acidic and can decrease how much Adderall your body absorbs. Caffeine in foods and beverages such as coffee might add to the stimulant effects of Adderall.

This can increase the risk of stimulant-related side effects such as anxiety , nervousness, trouble sleeping, and others. While taking Adderall, you should avoid consuming large amounts of coffee or other drinks that contain caffeine. Symptoms of overdose can include:.

If you think you or your child has taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Treatment of overdose will partly depend on the symptoms you have.

In many cases, people who have overdosed will be agitated. Medical personnel may give an injection to calm the person. In some cases, intravenous fluids may be given. Also, tests may be done to check for heart problems, breathing problems, and oxygen levels. And medications may be needed for heart problems or seizures if they occur.

Drug dependence can occur in people who take Adderall. Prolonged use can cause both psychological and physical dependence. This can make it difficult to stop taking the medication. In some cases, it can lead to drug abuse and inappropriate usage, resulting in severe side effects.

Misuse and abuse of Adderall is a growing epidemic , especially on college campuses. Many college students use Adderall to help them study. The half-life of a medication refers to the time it takes for half of the medication to be inactivated or removed from the body. Half-life is used as a measure of how long the medication will work or stay in the body. The half-life of Adderall is typically from 9 to 14 hours.

Each Adderall tablet or capsule contains two stimulant drugs: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Both drugs cause the body to release increased norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that send messages, or signals, between cells. Increased amounts of these messengers in the brain can result in more focus and attention. In people with ADHD , it can also result in a calming effect. In people with narcolepsy , it can help reduce daytime sleepiness.

Some research in animals has shown negative effects to a fetus when the mother takes this drug. Some infants born to mothers who are dependent on drugs similar to Adderall during pregnancy have shown negative effects. These include an increased risk of being born premature, having low birth weight, or having symptoms of drug withdrawal. This medication should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit justifies the potential risk.

Adderall can pass through breast milk and cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication. When Adderall is dispensed from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle.

This date is typically one year from the date the medication was dispensed. The purpose of such expiration dates is to guarantee the effectiveness of the medication during this time.

However, an FDA study showed that many medications may still be good beyond the expiration date listed on the bottle. How long the medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where the medication is stored. Adderall should be stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed and light-resistant container.

If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk to your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it. Adderall XR typically works for about 8 to 10 hours. As a result, most people take it just once each day.

Adderall is a stimulant that works in the brain to treat symptoms of ADHD and narcolepsy. What we do know is that Adderall affects chemical messengers in the brain called neurotransmitters , such as norepinephrine and dopamine.

The effects on these neurotransmitters are thought to help control certain impulses and provide a calming effect in people with ADHD. They also cause increased focus and attention. It can also cause feelings of physical and mental energy, and a sense of confidence. One review of studies showed that in people with ADHD, stimulant medications such as Adderall made the structure and function of their brains more closely match the structure and function of brains in people without ADHD.

Tolerance occurs when your body gets used to the effects of a medication and no longer responds in the same way. In some cases, this can require increasing the dosage of a drug to get the same effect. Once an effective dosage is determined, that dosage can often be continued for long periods of time without any loss of effectiveness. Tolerance can also relate to side effects. People who take Adderall for ADHD or narcolepsy sometimes experience side effects when they first start the medication.

In many cases, the body develops a tolerance to these side effects, and they go away. Adderall contains amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. For people who take Adderall, drug screening tests will be positive for amphetamine. If you take Adderall for a medical condition, consider disclosing this information before completing a drug screening related to work or athletics.

This drug has a boxed warning. A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Adderall and similar medications have the potential to be misused. Taking these medications for long periods of time can cause psychological and physical dependence. This may lead to obtaining Adderall illegally and using it for nonmedical purposes. Misuse and abuse of Adderall may cause serious side effects, including heart problems and death.

Before taking Adderall, talk with your doctor about your health history. Adderall may not be appropriate for you if you have certain medical conditions.

These include:. If you think your pet has consumed this medication, call your veterinarian right away. Amphetamines are sympathomimetic amines that stimulate the central nervous system CNS. Amphetamines stimulate norepinephrine and dopamine release in the CNS, increasing their levels in the extraneuronal space.

Amphetamines decrease fatigue , increase alertness, and cause mild euphoria. Outside the CNS, amphetamines increase blood pressure and stimulate heart rate and respiration. After an oral dose of Adderall, peak plasma concentrations occur in about three hours. For Adderall XR, the peak concentration occurs in about seven hours. Amphetamines are excreted in the urine. Typically, 30 percent to 40 percent of the administered dose is recovered in the urine as amphetamine, and 50 percent is recovered as the inactive metabolite alpha-hydroxy-amphetamine.

Amphetamines contained in Adderall are extensively abused. People taking amphetamines can develop extreme psychological dependence and tolerance. In some cases of amphetamine misuse, people have used doses several times higher than what is recommended. In those dependent on amphetamines, severe withdrawal can occur when the medication is abruptly stopped.

Withdrawal symptoms can include extreme fatigue , depression , and sleep disruption. Adderall should be stored in a tightly closed, light-resistant container. Disclaimer : MedicalNewsToday has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date.

However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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A diagnosis requires the use of medical, psychological, educational, and social resources, and it's made based on your doctor's evaluation and on your or your child's history. In fact, your doctor may recommend trying to implement those interventions first before prescribing Adderall XR. Patients who are taking divided doses of immediate-release Adderall such as twice daily may be switched to Adderall XR at the same total daily dose taken once daily.

Your doctor should regularly reevaluate your prescription to ensure its long-term usefulness for reducing your symptoms. Talk to your doctor about all medications, supplements, and vitamins that you currently take. While some drugs pose minor interaction risks, others may outright contraindicate use or prompt careful consideration as to whether the pros of treatment outweigh the cons in your case.

Diagnosing ADHD requires a variety of resources and a comprehensive patient history and evaluation, and Adderall XR should be used as part of a total treatment plan. Other treatment measures may include psychological, educational, and social support.

Non-drug interventions are often helpful for people with ADHD, and medication should only be used when those interventions fail to resolve symptoms. Your doctor's willingness to consider stimulant medication may depend on how chronic and severe your symptoms are. Amphetamines carry a risk of overdosage, so the smallest amount possible should always be prescribed. Adderall XR should not be taken by people with:.

Stimulant medications can increase blood pressure and average heart rate. While some people may experience larger increases, on average, this amounts to a 2 to 4 mmHg increase in blood pressure and an increased heart rate of approximately three to six beats per minute.

Alone, these increases aren't likely to lead to serious consequences, but people taking stimulants should be monitored for larger changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Extra caution may be warranted for people with certain underlying cardiovascular conditions, like:. Before starting Adderall XR, your doctor should complete an assessment to check for any family history of sudden death or ventricular arrhythmia and conduct a thorough physical exam to check for cardiac disease.

Anyone currently taking a stimulant should undergo an immediate cardiac evaluation if they experience symptoms like:. Stimulants may also carry risks for people with pre-existing mental health conditions. These can include:. Before beginning any stimulant, it's important that you or your child are screened thoroughly for the presence of any existing psychiatric condition, particularly psychosis and bipolar disorder.

Stimulants also carry a low risk about 0. Symptoms may include:. If symptoms occur, discontinuation of treatment may be appropriate. Aggressive behavior is a common symptom seen in children with ADHD.

Although there is no evidence that stimulants cause aggressive behavior or hostility, patients who are starting treatment for ADHD should be monitored for increased aggression or hostility. Adderall XR carries other risks that you should be aware of. For instance:. Together with the immediate-release version of Adderall, other common stimulants used to treat ADHD include:.

Adderall XR is administered at the lowest effective dose, and dosages depend on the therapeutic needs and response of each individual. All listed dosages are according to the manufacturer.

Check your prescription, and talk to your doctor to make sure you are taking the right dose for you. In children who are between the ages of 6 and 12, medication is often started at 10 milligrams mg once daily in the morning.

The dosage may be adjusted in increments of 5 or 10 mg at weekly intervals. There may be times when a physician decides to start the dose at 5 mg once in the morning. The maximum recommended dose for children 6 to 12 years of age is 30 mg per day. Doses greater than 30 mg per day have not been studied in children, and Adderall XR has not been studied in children under 6 years of age. In adolescents with ADHD who are between the ages of 13 and 17, the recommended starting dose is 10 mg per day.

The dose may be increased to 20 mg per day after one week if their ADHD symptoms are not adequately controlled. In adults, the recommended dose is 20 mg per day. Adderall XR comes in capsules with several dosage options, each with differentiating color combinations:.

Capsules should be taken by mouth and swallowed whole. They should not be chewed or crushed, as this could release all the medication at once and increase the risk of side effects. The entire contents of a capsule may be sprinkled on a small amount of applesauce just before taking.

The mixture should be swallowed immediately and should not be chewed. This may be particularly helpful for young children who are resistant to taking the medication. Adderall XR can be taken with or without food as directed by your physician. It is usually taken once in the morning and should be taken the same way with every dose such as with or without food.

Drink a glass of liquid after each dose. If you forget to take your medication, take it as soon as possible. Take caution when taking it in the afternoon, however, as it may interfere with sleep when it's taken too close to bedtime. You should also avoid doubling up on this medication—if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your normal schedule. Overdoses are possible with this medication, and they can be fatal. Symptoms include:. If you believe that you or a loved one has overdosed on Adderall XR, seek help immediately.

In the United States, you can contact the Poison Control Center at or call right away for help. This medication is a controlled substance and should be kept in a secure, safe place in a tightly closed container. Since Adderall XR is a controlled substance, you should consider planning ahead if you need to travel.

While Adderall XR is approved for use across the United States, you may need to comply with different drug labeling requirements while traveling from state to state. Your safest option may be to keep your medication in its original, prescribed container and ensure that you travel with roughly the amount you need—don't bring a large number of extra doses.

If you plan to fly, you should keep your medication with you in a carry-on bag or purse, rather than checking it. Traveling internationally with Adderall XR presents different problems, as this medication is not legal in certain countries. Check with the foreign embassy in your destination to determine if your medication is restricted in any way; if so, you'll likely need to comply with strict requirements for documentation.

You should also speak with your doctor about what to do if you run out of medication while abroad. Adderall XR has a number of possible side effects, which can range from mild to severe. It is important to talk to your doctor about what to expect while taking Adderall XR, and you should always keep them informed about any new or unexpected reactions you experience.

Side effects can vary depending on age. For children age 6 to 12, the most common are:. In adolescents age 13 to 17, the most common side effects include:.