Adderall XR (Amphetamine, Dextroamphetamine Mixed Salts) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

Pill Identifier Search

February 3, 2012

Adderall XR Capsules

Information on ADHD Medications »

What are ADHD medications and how do they work?

ADHD medications are drugs used to treat some of the characteristic behaviors associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, including inattention, hyperactivity, and poor impulse control.

Drugs used to treat ADHD target chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. One type of ADHD medication works by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Another type of ADHD drug increases the level of another neurotransmitter, norepinephrine.

ADHD drug treatment should begin only after a specific diagnosis of ADHD has been made. A clinical diagnosis requires that symptoms have persisted for at least six months. There is no blood test or radiological scan that can diagnose ADHD.

Most children with ADHD are diagnosed in preschool or early in elementary school. It's estimated that up to 7%-8% of school-age children in the United States have ADHD. In addition, it may be present ...

Read the Information on ADHD Medications article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
next »

Adderall XR User Reviews >>

Adderall XR

ADHD Symptoms in Children Slideshow Pictures

Take the ADHD Quiz

ADHD in Adults Slideshow Pictures

font size

ADDERALL XR®
(mixed salts of a single-entity amphetamine product)

WARNING

POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE

Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse. Administration of amphetamines for prolonged periods of time may lead to drug dependence. Pay particular attention to the possibility of subjects obtaining amphetamines for non-therapeutic use or distribution to others and the drugs should be prescribed or dispensed sparingly [see Drug Abuse And Dependence].

Misuse of amphetamine may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse reactions.

DRUG DESCRIPTION

ADDERALL XR (amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts) is a once daily extended-release, single-entity amphetamine product. ADDERALL XR (amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts) combines the neutral sulfate salts of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, with the dextro isomer of amphetamine saccharate and d,l-amphetamine aspartate monohydrate. The ADDERALL XR (amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts) capsule contains two types of drug-containing beads designed to give a double-pulsed delivery of amphetamines, which prolongs the release of amphetamine from ADDERALL XR (amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts) compared to the conventional ADDERALL (immediate-release) tablet formulation.

Each capsule contains:	5 mg	10 mg	15 mg	20 mg	25 mg	30 mg
Dextroamphetamine Saccharate	1.25 mg	2.5 mg	3.75 mg	5.0 mg	6.25 mg	7.5 mg
Amphetamine Aspartate Monohydrate	1.25 mg	2.5 mg	3.75 mg	5.0 mg	6.25 mg	7.5 mg
Dextroamphetamine Sulfate USP	1.25 mg	2.5 mg	3.75 mg	5.0 mg	6.25 mg	7.5 mg
Amphetamine Sulfate USP	1.25 mg	2.5 mg	3.75 mg	5.0 mg	6.25 mg	7.5 mg
Total amphetamine base equivalence	3.1 mg	6.3 mg	9.4 mg	12.5 mg	15.6 mg	18.8mg

Inactive Ingredients and Colors

The inactive ingredients in ADDERALL XR (amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts) capsules include: gelatin capsules, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methacrylic acid copolymer, opadry beige, sugar spheres, talc, and triethyl citrate. Gelatin capsules contain edible inks, kosher gelatin, and titanium dioxide. The 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg capsules also contain FD&C Blue #2. The 20 mg, 25 mg, and 30 mg capsules also contain red iron oxide and yellow iron oxide.

What are the possible side effects of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using amphetamine and dextroamphetamine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Adderall XR »

What are the precautions when taking amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts (Adderall XR)?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to sympathomimetic drugs (e.g., epinephrine, pseudoephedrine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain mental/mood conditions (e.g., agitation, psychosis), heart/blood vessel disease (e.g., irregular heartbeat, coronary artery disease, angina, heart failure, cardiomyopathy), problems with heart structure (e.g., valve problems), history of heart attack or stroke, moderate or severe high blood...

Read All Potential Precautions of Adderall XR »

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/20/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.