What will doctors prescribe adderall for

One of the main reasons people take stimulants without a prescription is to do better at school or work. Although the cognitive benefits of Adderall and Ritalin are far from clear, one thing they do seem to help with is rote learning. A few studies have shown that people who memorize things while on stimulants may be better at remembering those words or terms when tested later on. A review of different studies on the cognitive benefits or harms of stimulants found limited effects on working memory, the ability to hold and manipulate different pieces of information simultaneously.

That's not very significant for most people but may provide "a small advantage" in certain situations. Another review found that people who performed poorly on tests to begin with saw the most improved performance , leading researchers to think that stimulants may be better at correcting deficits than at enhancing cognitive abilities.

That's not very significant for most people but may provide a small advantage in certain situations. Some research shows that people who think they are going to be given a drug like Ritalin or Concerta don't show cognitive improvement but do pay better attention and act more engaged. In a recent study , college students were given either a placebo pill that they thought was Ritalin or no pill before taking a series of cognitive tests.

When they thought they had taken Ritalin, students said they were more alert and able to focus on the work. The scariest of the listed side effects for Adderall is the risk of sudden death, along with a series of other heart problems that stimulants can cause. Most of the sudden-death cases , which are rare, have occurred with people who had structural issues with their heart or other health complications, and at least one fatality involved a toxic level of medication.

Another case was associated with vigorous exercise. Other cardiac side effects include high blood pressure and tachycardia, or a sped-up heart rate. That story quotes experts who argue that marketing — and, in some cases, false marketing — by pharmaceutical companies is behind much of the rise in the number of people taking Adderall, Vyvanse, Concerta, and Focalin.

They note that sales of stimulants have quintupled since and point to potentially misleading quizzes that let adults test whether they have ADHD. The Times polled more than 1, adults and found that more than half scored in a range that said they "possibly" or "likely" suffer from ADHD, suggesting the criteria are far too inclusive. The Times polled more than 1, adults and found that more than half scored in a range that said they possibly or likely suffer from ADHD, suggesting the criteria are far too inclusive.

The FDA's medication guide to Adderall warns people to call doctors immediately if they experience mental problems, "especially seeing or hearing things that are not real, believing things that are not real, or are suspicious. Worsened mental illness for adults and psychotic symptoms for children are among the listed side effects. The medical literature includes case reports of methylphenidate, the active ingredient in Ritalin and Concerta, triggering depression in a 7-year-old and terrifying hallucinations in a year-old.

Fee developed very serious mental-health problems while battling a severe addiction to prescription stimulants and ultimately took his own life. The FDA's medication guide to Adderall warns people to call doctors immediately if they experience mental problems, especially seeing or hearing things that are not real, believing things that are not real, or are suspicious.

About two-thirds of kids with a diagnosis are prescribed stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin. Boys receive ADHD diagnoses at more than twice the rate of girls and are also more likely to receive prescription stimulants. Some people argue that this reflects better recognition and diagnosis of ADHD, but others say that it's a dangerous overuse of medicine to calm kids down and help them out in school.

A big feature in Esquire argues that the high rate of ADHD diagnoses among boys in particular is due to both a misunderstanding of boys' behavior and increased marketing efforts by pharmaceutical companies.

In the United States, 9. People with ADHD have trouble concentrating and controlling impulses. They may be fidgety and excitable. Doctors often prescribe stimulant medications to people with ADHD. Two common choices are Adderall and Ritalin. These drugs can help people concentrate and focus on tasks better. They also reduce impulsive behavior, which is another hallmark of ADHD.

They also share the same side effects. However, they have important differences. They work by increasing the availability of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine in your CNS connections. This speeds up your brain activity. Ritalin works sooner and reaches peak performance more quickly than Adderall does. However, Adderall stays active in your body longer than Ritalin does.

Adderall works for four to six hours. Ritalin is only active for two to three hours. Some people prefer the shorter-acting Ritalin because they can better control the timing of side effects, such as loss of appetite and trouble sleeping. Adderall and Ritalin are brand-name drugs that are also available as generic drugs. If taken at an appropriate dose by someone with diagnosed ADHD, Adderall can be an invaluable treatment. It raises brain activity to normal levels and has a low addiction risk.

A concerning statistic shows that as the number of Adderall prescriptions has increased, so has the number of stimulant-related ER visits. Talk with your doctor before stopping this medication. If you stop taking it, the symptoms of your condition may return. You may also develop withdrawal symptoms. These can include:. Adderall has been approved to treat two conditions. Adderall tablet is also approved to treat narcolepsy.

It can help reduce daytime sleepiness in people with this condition. This is called off-label use. It may also be used to treat depression in people who have both ADHD and depression. Some people who take Adderall or similar stimulant medication along with antidepressant medication have improved depression symptoms. However, taking stimulants with antidepressants can increase the risk of side effects.

Talk with your doctor before combining Adderall and any antidepressant medication. Adderall or similar stimulant medications are sometimes prescribed off-label for people with anxiety , especially for those who have both ADHD and anxiety. Some research suggests that combining stimulant medication with antidepressants might improve symptoms of ADHD and anxiety. Adderall and other stimulants are sometimes prescribed off-label for treating symptoms of depression in people with bipolar disorder.

In some cases, this type of misuse of Adderall can lead to abuse of the drug. 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.