Uses
Side effects
Interactions
Precautions
How Amphetamine works
ADDERALL XR, a CNS stimulant, is indicated for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Children (ages 6-12): Efficacy was established in one 3-week outpatient, controlled trial and one analogue classroom, controlled trial in children with ADHD.
- Adolescents (ages 13-17): Efficacy was established in one 4- week controlled trial in adolescents with ADHD.
- Adults: Efficacy was established in one 4-week controlled trial in adults with ADHD.
What are the side effects of Amphetamine?
Children (ages 6 to 12): Most common adverse reactions (≥5% and with a higher incidence than on placebo) were:
- loss of appetite
- insomnia
- abdominal pain
- emotional lability
- vomiting
- nervousness
- nausea
- fever
Adolescents (ages 13 to 17): Most common adverse reactions (≥5% and with a higher incidence than on placebo) were:
- loss of appetite,
- insomnia,
- abdominal pain,
- weight loss,
- nervousness.
Adults: Most common adverse reactions ≥5% and with a higher incidence than on placebo were:
- dry mouth
- loss of appetite
- insomnia
- headache
- weight loss
- nausea
- anxiety
- agitation
- dizziness
- tachycardia
- diarrhea
- asthenia
- urinary tract infections
- MAOI antidepressants are contraindicated; MAOIs potentiate the effects of amphetamine. Do not administer ADDERALL XR during or within 14 days after use of MAOI.
- Alkalinizing agents (GI antacids and urinary): These agents increase blood levels of amphetamine.
- Acidifying agents (GI and urinary): These agents reduce blood levels of amphetamine.
- Adrenergic blockers, antihistamines, antihypertensives, phenobarbital, phenytoin, veratrum alkaloids, and ethosuximide: Effects may be reduced by amphetamines.
- Tricyclic antidepressants, norepinephrine, and meperidine: Effects may be potentiated by amphetamines.
- Serious Cardiovascular Events: Sudden death has been reported with usual doses of CNS stimulants in children and adolescents with structural cardiac abnormalities or other serious heart problems; sudden death, stroke, and myocardial infarction have been reported in adults taking CNS stimulants at usual doses. Stimulant drugs should not be used in patients with known structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious heart rhythm abnormalities, coronary artery disease, or other serious heart problems. Increase in Blood Pressure: Monitor blood pressure and pulse at appropriate intervals. Use with caution in patients for whom blood pressure increases may be problematic.
- Psychiatric Adverse Events: Stimulants may cause treatmentemergent psychotic or manic symptoms in patients with no prior history, or exacerbation of symptoms in patients with pre-existing psychosis. Evaluate for bipolar disorder prior to stimulant use. Monitor for aggressive behavior.
- Long-term Suppression of Growth: Monitor height and weight at appropriate intervals.
- Seizures: May lower the convulsive threshold. Discontinue in the presence of seizures.
- Peripheral Vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon: Stimulants used to treat ADHD are associated with peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon. Careful observation for digital changes is necessary during treatment with ADHD stimulants.
- Visual Disturbance: Difficulties with accommodation and blurring of vision have been reported with stimulant treatment.
- Tics: May exacerbate tics. Evaluate for tics and Tourette’s syndrome prior to stimulant administration.
