How do extended release adderall work

In adults, the recommended dose is 20 mg per day. Adderall XR comes in capsules with several dosage options, each with differentiating color combinations:. Capsules should be taken by mouth and swallowed whole.

They should not be chewed or crushed, as this could release all the medication at once and increase the risk of side effects. The entire contents of a capsule may be sprinkled on a small amount of applesauce just before taking. The mixture should be swallowed immediately and should not be chewed. This may be particularly helpful for young children who are resistant to taking the medication. Adderall XR can be taken with or without food as directed by your physician. It is usually taken once in the morning and should be taken the same way with every dose such as with or without food.

Drink a glass of liquid after each dose. If you forget to take your medication, take it as soon as possible. Take caution when taking it in the afternoon, however, as it may interfere with sleep when it's taken too close to bedtime.

You should also avoid doubling up on this medication—if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your normal schedule. Overdoses are possible with this medication, and they can be fatal. Symptoms include:. If you believe that you or a loved one has overdosed on Adderall XR, seek help immediately.

In the United States, you can contact the Poison Control Center at or call right away for help. This medication is a controlled substance and should be kept in a secure, safe place in a tightly closed container. Since Adderall XR is a controlled substance, you should consider planning ahead if you need to travel. While Adderall XR is approved for use across the United States, you may need to comply with different drug labeling requirements while traveling from state to state.

Your safest option may be to keep your medication in its original, prescribed container and ensure that you travel with roughly the amount you need—don't bring a large number of extra doses. If you plan to fly, you should keep your medication with you in a carry-on bag or purse, rather than checking it. Traveling internationally with Adderall XR presents different problems, as this medication is not legal in certain countries. Check with the foreign embassy in your destination to determine if your medication is restricted in any way; if so, you'll likely need to comply with strict requirements for documentation.

You should also speak with your doctor about what to do if you run out of medication while abroad. Adderall XR has a number of possible side effects, which can range from mild to severe. It is important to talk to your doctor about what to expect while taking Adderall XR, and you should always keep them informed about any new or unexpected reactions you experience. Side effects can vary depending on age.

For children age 6 to 12, the most common are:. In adolescents age 13 to 17, the most common side effects include:.

Common side effects for adults are:. Severe side effects of Adderall XR can include:. If you are taking too high of a dosage of Adderall XR, you might experience symptoms like:. Adderall XR is a Schedule II drug meaning it has a high potential for abuse and a controlled substance. It's important that you follow your doctor's orders and do not increase the dose, take it more often, or use it for a longer period of time than is prescribed. If you decide to stop taking Adderall XR, you should work closely with your doctor.

Withdrawal symptoms are more likely if you have used this medication for a long time or in high doses. You should only decrease your dose or discontinue your medication under the supervision of your physician. Tell your doctor if you or your child takes:. Adderall XR has not been evaluated for use in children under 6 years of age or in older adults. If you are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, discuss your options with your doctor.

While it's not clear if Adderall XR is safe to take during pregnancy, data from animal testing show that there is a possible danger to the fetus, and there are well-established side effects for infants born to mothers with a dependency on amphetamines. That said, Adderall XR may be used during pregnancy if the benefit to the mother outweighs those potential risks. Nursing mothers, however, should not breastfeed while taking this medication, as amphetamines can travel through the breastmilk.

It's important to remain under the care of a physician while taking Adderall XR. Your doctor can ensure you remain safe and free from serious side effects while evaluating your dosage and long-term treatment plan. Because ADHD treatment is personalized toward your specific symptoms and response to drugs, either form of Adderall may work for you. Some adults and children can forget to take their second dose of Adderall later in the day. This could result in effects dropping off throughout the day.

Adderall XR has the advantage of once-daily dosing with effects that can last throughout the work or school day. Adderall XR has good tolerability and may produce less adverse effects, especially in people with heart or blood pressure problems. Some studies have found that extended-release Adderall is useful for those with high blood pressure hypertension. Adderall XR capsules contain small beads of drug. Some doctors instruct their patients to open the capsules and place the beads in soft foods like applesauce.

For those who have trouble swallowing medication, Adderall XR can be an effective treatment option. Whether you are prescribed Adderall or Adderall XR depends on your overall condition and symptoms.

Dosing of these drugs is highly individualized and needs to be adjusted over time in some cases. Talk to your doctor to discuss your potential treatment options. Sign up for Adderall XR price alerts and find out when the price changes! Because Adderall is available in a generic form, most Medicare and insurance plans will not cover the brand name. However, the generic version contains the same ingredients and works in the same way.

If you have a prescription for Adderall XR, most Medicare and insurance plans will cover the generic version of it. You can use an Adderall XR savings card to lower this cost and save much more. The most common side effects of Adderall are insomnia or trouble sleeping, dry mouth, loss of appetite, weight loss, nervousness or anxiety, and nausea. Compared to other ADHD medications like Ritalin methylphenidate , amphetamines have a greater chance of decreasing appetite.

Other side effects may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, agitation, dizziness, and headache. Adderall and Adderall XR can also increase heart rate and blood pressure. These side effects may be more serious for those with preexisting heart or blood pressure problems. This may not be a complete list of adverse effects that can occur.

Please refer to your doctor or healthcare provider to learn more. Both forms of Adderall have similar drug interactions. Taking these drugs with Adderall can increase amphetamine levels in the blood and increase the risk of adverse effects. Adderall and Adderall XR can also interact with acidifying agents, which can decrease the levels of amphetamine in the blood. Taking these drugs together may decrease the effects of Adderall.

Adderall and Adderall XR can decrease the effects of beta blockers and antihypertensives blood pressure lowering medications. This is because amphetamine produces stimulant effects, which can increase blood pressure. This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Please consult your doctor before taking these medications. Interventions: Study A had four treatment sequences: three test formulations A, B, and C of a single dose of extended-release Adderall 20 mg, and two mg doses of Adderall given 4 hours apart.

Study B had three treatment sequences: a single dose of SLI 30 mg as an intact capsule after overnight fast, an intact capsule after a high-fat breakfast, and the contents of a capsule sprinkled in 1 tablespoon of applesauce.

Formulations B and C had statistically significant differences from the reference drug in some pharmacokinetic parameters.