Adderall XR (Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine) Drug Information

  • Why is this medication prescribed?

    The combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall XR) is used as part of a treatment program to control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; more difficulty focusing, controlling actions, and remaining still or quiet than other people who are the same age) in adults and children. dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall XR) tablets are also used to treat narcolepsy (a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden attacks of sleep). The combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall XR) is in a class of medications called central nervous system stimulants. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain.

  • How should this medicine be used?

    The combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall XR) comes as a tablet and an extended-release (long-acting) capsule to take by mouth. The tablet is usually taken 2-3 times daily, 4-6 hours apart, with or without food. The extended-release capsule is usually taken once daily in the morning with or without food. Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine combination should not be taken in the late afternoon or evening because it may cause difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take dextroamphetamine and amphetamine exactly as directed.

    Swallow the extended-release capsules whole; do not chew or crush them. If you are unable to swallow the extended-release capsule, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the entire contents on a teaspoonful of applesauce. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not store the applesauce/medication mixture for future use, and do not divide the contents of one capsule into more than one dose.

    Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine and increase your dose gradually, not more often than once every week.

    Your doctor may tell you to stop taking dextroamphetamine and amphetamine from time to time to see if the medication is still needed. Follow these directions carefully.

  • Other uses for this medicine

    The combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall XR) should not be used to treat excessive tiredness that is not caused by narcolepsy.

    This medication may be prescribed for other conditions; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

  • What special precautions should I follow?

    Before taking Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine):

    • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, other stimulant medications such as benzphetamine (Didrex),lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), or methamphetamine (Desoxyn);or any other medications.
    • tell your doctor if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or if you have stopped taking them during the past 14 days. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) until at least 14 days have passed since you last took an MAO inhibitor.
    • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetazolamide (Diamox); alpha blockers such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), tamsulosin (Flomax), and terazosin (Hytrin); antacids and other medications for heartburn or ulcers; antidepressants ('mood elevators'); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antihistamines (medications for colds and allergies); ascorbic acid (Vitamin C); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); chlorpromazine (Thorazine); diuretics ('water pills'); guanethidine (Ismelin); haloperidol (Haldol); lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith); medications for high blood pressure;certain medications for seizures such as ethosuximide (Zarontin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), and phenytoin (Dilantin); meperidine (Demerol); methenamine (Hiprex, Urex); propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvon-N); reserpine (Serpalan); sodium bicarbonate (Arm and Hammer Baking Soda, Soda Mint); and sodium phosphate. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
    • tell your doctor what nutritional supplements you are taking, especially glutamic acid (L-glutamine).
    • tell your doctor if you have glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye that may cause vision loss), hyperthyroidism (condition in which there is too much thyroid hormone in the body), or feelings of anxiety, tension, or agitation. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine).
    • tell your doctor if anyone in your family has or has ever had an irregular heartbeat or has died suddenly. Also tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack and if you have or have ever had a heart defect, high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, hardening of the arteries, heart or blood vessel disease, or other heart problems. Your doctor will examine you to see if your heart and blood vessels are healthy. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) if you have a heart condition or if there is a high risk that you may develop a heart condition.
    • tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had depression, bipolar disorder (mood that changes from depressed to abnormally excited), or mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), motor tics (repeated uncontrollable movements), verbal tics (repetition of sounds or words that is hard to control), or Tourette's syndrome (a condition characterized by the need to perform repeated motions or to repeat sounds or words), or has thought about or attempted suicide. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had mental illness, seizures, an abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG; a test that measures electrical activity in the brain), or liver or kidney disease.
    • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine), call your doctor.
    • talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) because it is not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.

    • you should know that this medication may make it difficult for you to perform activities that require alertness or physical coordination. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
    • you should know that Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) should be used as part of a total treatment program for ADHD, which may include counseling and special education. Make sure to follow all of your doctor's and/or therapist's instructions.
  • What special dietary instructions should I follow?

    Talk to your doctor about drinking fruit juice while taking this medicine.

  • What should I do if I forget a dose?

    Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

  • What side effects can this medication cause?

    Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

    • nervousness
    • restlessness
    • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
    • uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
    • headache
    • changes in sex drive or ability
    • dry mouth
    • stomach pain
    • nausea
    • vomiting
    • diarrhea
    • constipation
    • loss of appetite
    • weight loss

    Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

    • fast or pounding heartbeat
    • shortness of breath
    • chest pain
    • excessive tiredness
    • slow or difficult speech
    • dizziness or faintness
    • weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
    • seizures
    • motor tics or verbal tics
    • believing things that are not true
    • feeling unusually suspicious of others
    • hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
    • mania (frenzied or abnormally excited mood)
    • aggressive or hostile behavior
    • changes in vision or blurred vision
    • fever
    • blistering or peeling skin
    • rash
    • hives
    • itching
    • swelling of the eyes, face, tongue, or throat
    • difficulty breathing or swallowing
    • hoarseness

    Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) may cause sudden death in children and teenagers, especially children and teenagers who have heart defects or serious heart problems. This medication also may cause sudden death, heart attack, or stroke in adults, especially adults with heart defects or serious heart problems. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.

    Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) may slow children's growth or weight gain. Your child's doctor will watch his or her growth carefully. Talk to your child's doctor if you have concerns about your child's growth or weight gain while he or she is taking this medication. Talk to your child's doctor about the risks of giving Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) to your child.

    If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

  • What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

    Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from light and excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

  • In case of emergency/overdose

    In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

    Symptoms of overdose may include:

    • restlessness
    • confusion
    • aggressive behavior
    • feelings of panic
    • hallucination (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
    • fast breathing
    • uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
    • fever
    • dark red or cola-colored urine
    • muscle weakness or aching
    • tirednessor weakness
    • depression
    • fast or irregular heartbeat
    • fainting
    • dizziness
    • blurred vision
    • upset stomach
    • vomiting
    • diarrhea
    • seizures
    • coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)
  • What other information should I know?

    Keep all your appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine).

    Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine).

    This prescription is not refillable. Be sure to schedule appointments with your doctor on a regular basis so that you do not run out of medication.

    It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

  • Brand Names

    • Adderall® (containing Amphetamine, Dextroamphetamine)