tuneTypical Dose
5-30 mg daily (prescription-dependent)
Pharmaceutical
Adderall
75% dextroamphetamine / 25% levoamphetamine
Evidence TierAWADA PROHIBITED
watchEffect Window
Immediate (30-60 minutes) for symptom relief. XR provides 8-12 hour coverage.
lockCompliance
WADA PROHIBITED
Overview
Clinical Summary
Adderall is a prescription mixed amphetamine-salt stimulant for ADHD and narcolepsy. It is used clinically to improve attention, impulse control, and daytime wakefulness.
Randomized trials show improved core ADHD symptoms, including attention and hyperactivity, with functional gains in academic and work performance measures. It reduces excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy. Minority research examines augmentation in treatment-resistant depression and cognitive rehabilitation, but these uses depend on clinical context and carry meaningful risk tradeoffs.
Potent CNS stimulant that increases synaptic dopamine and norepinephrine via vesicular release promotion and reuptake inhibition. TAAR1 agonist.
Outcomes
What This Is Expected To Influence
Primary Outcomes
- Highly effective reduction of core ADHD symptoms (inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity)
Secondary Outcomes
- Maintains wakefulness in narcolepsy
- Modest sustained-attention improvement in healthy adults (off-label, controversial)
Safety
Contraindications and Interactions
Contraindications
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hypertension
- Glaucoma
- Hyperthyroidism
- MAOIs within 14 days
- History of drug abuse
- Severe anxiety
Side effects
- Appetite suppression
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Increased heart rate/BP
- Anxiety
- Irritability
Interactions
- MAOIs (absolute contraindication)
- SSRIs (serotonin syndrome)
- Proton pump inhibitors (increased absorption)
- Vitamin C/acidifying agents (decreased effect)
Avoid if
- History of substance use disorder
- Cardiac anomalies
- Concurrent MAOI use
- Severe anxiety disorders
Evidence
Study-level References
adderall-SRC-001Meta-analysis
Sourceopen_in_newFaraone SV, Biederman J. "Efficacy of mixed amphetamine salts for ADHD." 2002.
Population: Children and Adults with ADHD
Key findings: Confirms high efficacy and established safety profile for labeled indications.
Paper content
Confirms high efficacy and established safety profile for labeled indications.