Adderall XR: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Reviews (2024)

What are the risks and warnings for Adderall XR?

Adderall XR has a risk of misuse and dependence. Misuse is when a medication is used differently than how it's prescribed. Misusing Adderall XR raises your risk for serious side effects such as high heart rate, high blood pressure, aggressive behavior, and even thoughts of hurting yourself. In addition, over time, you can become physically dependent on Adderall XR to function normally. This is usually related to having withdrawal symptoms like irritability, nightmares, and sleep problems if you take the medication for a long time and then suddenly stop. Take the medication exactly as prescribed to you. Don't change the dose or how often you take it without talking to your provider first.

There have been reports of sudden death, stroke, and heart attack in people who took Adderall XR at usual doses. Adderall XR can also raise your blood pressure and heart rate. Tell your provider if you have a history of heart problems before starting Adderall XR to make sure it's safe for you to take. Your provider will check for heart problems before starting treatment with this medication. Contact your provider if you experience unexplained fainting, chest pain with physical activity, or irregular heartbeat while you're taking Adderall XR.

Taking a stimulant like Adderall XR can cause mental health problems such as hallucinations (seeing things that aren't really there), aggressive behavior, unclear thinking, and mania. This medication can worsen mood-related problems that you already have, but these changes in mood or behavior can also happen even if you haven't had these problems before. If you develop these mood- and behavior-related symptoms while taking Adderall XR, talk to your healthcare provider right away because you might have to stop taking it.

In studies, stimulants like Adderall XR slowed the growth rate (both in height and weight) in children. Your child's provider will track your child's growth progress closely. If they suspect slowed growth, they might pause or stop your child's Adderall XR treatment. Talk to your child's provider if you have concerns.

Stimulants like Adderall XR can cause blurred vision and other vision problems. Let your provider know if you notice any changes with your vision.

Although rare, stimulants like Adderall XR can cause you to have seizures more easily, especially if you've have seizures before. If this happens, get medical help right away. You'll likely have to stop taking Adderall XR.

Adderall XR might be linked to poor blood circulation problems, such as Raynaud's phenomenon. People with Raynaud's phenomenon can experience episodes of poor blood flow to the fingers and toes, which can cause the skin to turn pale and to feel cold, numb, or painful. If this happens, symptoms are typically mild. But rarely, it can cause sores or ulcers in more serious cases. Let your healthcare provider know if you notice symptoms of circulation problems, such as bouts of numbness or pain in your fingers or toes. Your provider might need to lower your dose of Adderall XR or ask you to consider a different medication.

Serotonin syndrome is a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition where there's too much serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the chemicals in your brain responsible for your mood.

Your risk for this condition goes up if you use Adderall XR with other medications that affect serotonin levels, such as antidepressants (e.g., sertraline (Zoloft), duloxetine (Cymbalta)), MAOIs (e.g., phenelzine (Nardil)), linezolid (Zyvox), and certain migraine medications (e.g., sumatriptan (Imitrex)). Make sure your provider knows about all the medications you take or plan to take (including over-the-counter medications and supplements) so they can check that your medications are safe for you.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, and confusion. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms.

Adderall XR can interact with a lot of commonly used medications. Adderall XR counteracts (works against) the effects of many blood pressure medications, including prazosin (Minipress) and beta blockers like propranolol (Inderal) and metoprolol (Lopressor). This means these blood pressure medications might not work as well for you if you take them with Adderall XR.

Make sure your healthcare provider and pharmacist know about all the medications you take (including over-the-counter medications and supplements) before starting Adderall XR. Don't start any new medications while taking Adderall XR without letting them know first.

Adderall XR dosage forms

Adderall XR

• Children ages 6 to under 13 years: The typical starting dose is 5 mg to 10 mg by mouth once every day. The maximum daily dose is 30 mg per day.

• Children ages 13 to under 18 years old: The typical starting dose is 10 mg by mouth once every day.

• Adults: The typical starting dose is 20 mg by mouth every day.

Mydayis

• Children ages 13 to under 18 years: The typical starting dose is 12.5 mg by mouth once each day. The maximum daily dose is 25 mg per day.

• Adults ages 18 to 55 years old: The typical starting dose is 12.5 mg by mouth once each day. The maximum daily dose is 50 mg per day.

Your provider will adjust your dose of Adderall XR based on how well it's helping your symptoms, if you're having side effects, or if you have severe kidney problems.