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In this Article

• What is amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall)?
• What are the possible side effects of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall)?
• What is the most important information I should know about amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall)?
• What should I discuss with my doctor before taking amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall)?
• How should I take amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Adderall)?
• What happens if I overdose (Adderall)?
• What should I avoid while taking amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall)?
• What other drugs will affect amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my doctor before taking amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall)?

Do not take this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take amphetamine and dextroamphetamine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amphetamine and dextroamphetamine or if you have:

• heart disease or moderate to severe high blood pressure (hypertension);
• arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries);
• overactive thyroid;
• glaucoma;
• severe anxiety, tension, or agitation; or
• if you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and adolescents with serious heart problems or congenital heart defects.

Before using amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a congenital heart defect;
• high blood pressure;
• heart failure, heart rhythm disorder, or recent heart attack;
• a personal or family history of mental illness, psychotic disorder, bipolar illness, depression, or suicide attempt;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
• tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. It could also cause premature birth, low birth weight, or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes amphetamine and dextroamphetamine during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Long-term use of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the child using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.

How should I take amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take this medication with a full glass of water.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.

Store amphetamine and dextroamphetamine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine is a drug of abuse and may be habit-forming. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. You should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription. Using this medication improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.