ADHD Medication Mistakes and Dosage Myths: Adderall and More

But there are other ADHD-related obstacles to sleep, such as being unable to “put the brakes on” a busy brain. Just as a professional cannot predict which medication will work best, they also cannot predict an optimal dosage – there is no “average” or optimal dosage of Adderall — or any other recovery national institute on drug abuse nida ADHD medication. Simply put, there is no way to predict how a patient will respond to Adderall or any stimulant, whether a methylphenidate (MPH) or amphetamine (AMP), until they try it. Only patients with moderate to severe impairment in two different settings should be started on treatment.

  1. Submaximal treadmill exercise testing was conducted from 1999 to 2004.
  2. Talk with your doctor to learn more about other medications that may work well for you.
  3. If you already have Raynaud’s phenomenon or other circulatory problems, talk with your doctor before taking Adderall.
  4. Adderall and other stimulants have some similarities and some differences.

Adderall XR capsules are approved for treating ADHD in children ages 6 years and older. Both Adderall and methylphenidate are effective for improving symptoms of ADHD. They’re both considered to be among the first choices of medications for treating ADHD.

Why Stimulants Could Increase Cardiovascular Risk

We also list some alternative medications for ADHD and narcolepsy. 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. 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.

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Both Adderall and modafinil can cause physical and psychological dependence leading to misuse (also called abuse). However, dependence appears to be more common with Adderall than modafinil. Both Adderall and Concerta are effective for improving symptoms of ADHD. Both Adderall and Concerta are FDA-approved for treating ADHD. Adderall is also approved for narcolepsy, but Concerta is not. Generally, it’s not clear if one of these medications works better than the other.

Recommended dosages

To get better sleep, limit caffeine and screen time (phone, TV, or video games) close to bedtime. If you have any of these side effects, ask your doctor how long they are likely to last, as well as what to do if they don’t get better. If you experience new or worsening symptoms while taking Adderall, talk with your doctor right away. If you already have Raynaud’s phenomenon or other circulatory problems, talk with your doctor before taking Adderall. They can recommend other treatments that may be safer for you.

However, individual people may respond better to one than the other. Both Adderall and Ritalin are effective for improving symptoms of ADHD. However, individual people may respond better to one over the other.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If you have a serious heart problem, Adderall could raise your risk of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death. And if you have high blood pressure, taking Adderall could make it worse. Your doctor may want to check your heart and blood pressure before prescribing Adderall to make sure it’s safe for you. It is possible that, in adults on CNS stimulant therapy, chances of having other cardiovascular risk factors may increase with each passing decade of life. Scrutiny has recently increased, primarily due to marked increase in the use of CNS stimulants among adults [6]. AMI as well as atrial fibrillation has been previously reported in cases of recreational amphetamine abuse [7] and also in adolescent ADHD patients on stimulant therapy [8].

I haven’t noticed any side effects except a much quieter mind and improved focus (yay!). Unfortunately, at my check how to pass a urine drug test with baking soda up the other day my blood pressure was really high. Dehydration can intensify the impacts of stimulant medicines.

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