What Is Adderall?
Looking forward to a drug that can help you take care of different needs? Most of us want to focus better and look forward to a life where we can utilize our resources to the maximum. However, drugs that help better performance are not easy to find and you will need to get hold of something that you know will work without serious side effects. If you need a drug that can act as a central nervous system stimulant, Adderall is the choice to go.
Adderall is popularly known as ‘smart drug’ is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine which are central nervous system stimulants. These stimulants affect the chemicals present in the brain and nerves that control the hyperactivity and impulse control in human beings. Adderall is generally a prescribed medication which is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy among children and adults. But nowadays, Adderall has become popular among college students and young professionals as they believe it helps them to improve their focus, concentration, and memory and thereby improving their overall performance.
History
Want to know how Adderall was invented in the first place? Adderall was first used for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy among people. The current Adderall brand was first introduced in the form of tablets in the year 1996 by Richwood Pharmaceuticals. Richwood Pharmaceuticals later merged with Shire, a well-known pharmaceutical company. Adderall was given approval by the FDA in the year 1996.
The Adderall drug is produced in two forms – IR (Immediate Release) and ER (Extended Release). It forms the major part of the ADHD drug industry which has made more than $9 billion and is been ever growing since then.
Uses
Adderall is the most popularly used medicine for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It was also approved for the treatment by the FDA in the year 1996. It increases the concentration and focus of an individual which makes it suitable for the treatment of ADHD. Adderall is taken in the form of tablets in the interval of 4 to 6 hours. The dosage of the tablets depends on person to person as prescribed by the doctor.
Benefits
Adderall has certain benefits for which it is one of the most popular prescribed medicine. It helps in increasing one’s concentration and focus by stimulating the chemicals in the brain by an increase in the levels of Dopamine, Serotonin, and Adrenaline. It used popularly used for the treatment of ADHD both in children and adults. It also helps to treat fatigue and sleep disorders like narcolepsy in adults. According to the reviews by the users, it also helps in mood elevation and also leads to mild euphoria for some users. Amphetamine present in Adderall can be used to suppress appetite and can help also help in weight loss. When it is used for Depression symptoms, after a long period of time a withdrawal, or “rebound” can occur, which re-triggers the depression. If taken with L-Tyrosine, this is greatly diminished.
Recommended Dosage
Adderall should be taken only if it is prescribed by your doctor as the misuse of this drug can have severe side effects and can also lead to death. Dosage of Adderall depends on an individual’s response and hence differs from person to person. Doctors start with the lowest possible dose and increase it gradually if it doesn’t work out. The lowest possible dose that works out for a person is considered as the best dose. Late evening doses are avoided as it can lead to insomnia. It is not recommended for children below the age of 3 years. The dosage of Adderall for a child may start with 2.5 mg and may gradually increase to 30 mg while in adults the dosage ranges from 5 mg to 60 mg.
Side Effects
So, what are the side effects? Apart from the benefits of Adderall, there are several side effects of this drug which is a concern for medical science. However, thankfully, most of the side effects are not dangerous and you can take the drug easily. The most common side effects of Adderall are loss of appetite, dry mouth, anxiety, and difficulty in falling asleep. It can also lead to nervousness and restlessness among users. It can also cause nausea, headaches, stomach aches and diarrhea. However, at times the side effects can be very severe like trouble in breathing, chest pain, seizures, frequent hallucinations and changes in vision. Severe skin rashes, swelling of face, tongue and lips, difficulty in talking, irregular heartbeats, uncontrolled and aggressive behavior are also signs of severe side effects of using it. When Adderall is used for depression, aggressive side effects can include withdrawal, headaches, dehydration, and weight loss.
How To Use Adderall?
Adderall should only be used if prescribed by a doctor. Misuse or abuse of it can have severe side effects. The dosage and schedule given by the doctor should be strictly followed. If any abnormality is observed while following the routine, the doctor should be consulted immediately. Also, Adderall is not recommended for people having heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, bipolar disorders, etc. as it causes severe problems and also leads to instant death. Hence, the doctor should be informed about any such cases or history of such cases if occurred in the family.
What Does Adderall Feel Like?
According to some users, one feels highly confident after taking Adderall. The sense high power of concentration and focus and as if completely filled with energy. Some have constant positive thoughts and feelings that they are capable of doing anything. But along with these positive reports, few users reported feeling nervous. They sensed a feeling of restlessness and had trouble while sleeping. Hence, can make one feel either good or bad.
Research
A lot of research has gone on to how the drug works as well as the benefits and side effects arising out from it. Researches have shown that it has become easier for students to gain access to drugs like Adderall illegally without any prescription. According to the 2015 College Drug Study conducted by Ohio State University, more than 70% of students accepted that it is easy to medications without any prescription. Around 18 percent of them admitted they misused prescription stimulants. Also, 1 in every 5 college students has accepted to use Adderall without having ADHD.
Adderall vs. Ritalin
Adderall and Ritalin are the two most popular medicines used for the treatment of ADHD. Adderall is the product of the company called Shire while Novartis is the manufacturer of Ritalin. Adderall is considered to be more addictive compared to Ritalin while on the other hand, Ritalin has more adverse side effects when compared to it. Ritalin can also lead to psychosis and can lead to a temporary worsening of symptoms of ADHD if not followed properly as prescribed. It is best to consult a doctor to choose which one is best suited for your body and conditions.
Adderall vs. Provigil
Provigil, also known as Modafinil, was introduced for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. It was approved in 1998 by the FDA. These two drugs have a lot in common. But Provigil is considered a safer long-term treatment option when compared to Adderall. This is due to the fact that abuse and tolerance are not common in Provigil as compared to Adderall. It is classified as ‘Schedule II’ controlled substance while ‘Provigil’ comes under the category of ‘Schedule IV’ substance. Adderall is a product of Shire while Cephalon produces Provigil. Both the drugs are approved by the FDA and there is no evidence to prove that one drug is better than the other in treating the disorder. It is also slightly cheaper than Provigil which makes it more popular.
Legal Status
Adderall is completely legal to use if it is prescribed by a doctor. Legally, it is a medicine used for treatment for ADHD and not considered a narcotic. But it is also addictive and can be used for abusive purpose if used without a prescription. It has severe side effects which can also lead to death if misused. Hence, it is illegal if you use or distribute it without a prescription.
Final Thoughts
Adderall is a wonderful medicine drug that has been used for a long time to cure ADHD and narcolepsy. It can help you increase focus and drive in better performance in your life. However, do have in mind that you shouldn’t use it whenever you want to but actually consult a qualified medical practitioner first or stick to the dosage prescribed. Illegal use and abuse of the drug especially among the youth has been a rising concern. Strict rules should be implemented by the government towards the selling of drugs in the market. Researchers are working on continuing to improve the current model of it and efforts are being made on how to reduce the side effects.
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