Adderall vs. Dexedrine

Both Adderall and Dexedrine help reduce severity of ADHD symptoms by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals produced by the nerve cells that help neurons communicate with one another.

The side effects of Adderall and Dexedrine are almost identical, but Adderall tends to work more powerfully because it's a combination drug with two different kinds of stimulants. One of the most important adverse effects for both drugs is the potential for addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Other potential problems include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, palpitations, and increased blood pressure.

People taking either Adderall or Dexedrine should never take MAO inhibitors to avoid a serious drug interaction problem. Both these drugs may also affect blood pressure medications, and shouldn't be taken with other recreational drugs like alcohol, caffeine, or other stimulants.

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 this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• talking more than usual, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
• tremors, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches); or
• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision;
• feeling restless, irritable, or agitated,
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;
• diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;
• fever;
• hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss; or
• loss of interest in sex, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Common side effects of Dexedrine include:

• nausea,
• stomach upset,
• cramps,
• loss of appetite,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• dry mouth or unpleasant taste in your mouth,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• nervousness,
• dizziness,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• sweating,
• weight loss,
• irritability,
• restlessness,
• loss of interest in sex,
• impotence, or
• difficulty having an orgasm.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Dexedrine including:

• numbness/pain/skin color change/sensitivity to temperature in the fingers or toes,
• mental/mood/behavior changes (such as agitation, aggression, mood swings, depression, hallucinations, abnormal thoughts/behavior, thoughts of suicide),
• uncontrolled movements,
• muscle twitching or shaking,
• outbursts of words or sounds,
• swelling ankles or feet,
• extreme tiredness,
• significant unexplained weight loss, or
• frequent or prolonged erections (in males).

Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine. It is used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Adderall may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

Adderall should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

Adderall is also used in the treatment of a sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

Adderall is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep Adderall in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Adderall may harm others, and is against the law.

Dexedrine is a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine. It is used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Dexedrine may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD. Dexedrine should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies. Dexedrine is also used in the treatment of a sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

Dexedrine is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep Dexedrine in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Dexedrine may harm others, and is against the law.

Tell your doctor if you or your child have (or have a family history of) ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescriptionmedicines or street drugs.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you or your child take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Adderall and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines will need to be adjusted while taking Adderall.

Your doctor will decide whether Adderall can be taken with other medicines.

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child take:

• anti-depression medicines including MAOIs
• blood pressure medicines
• seizure medicines
• blood thinner medicines
• cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants
• stomach acid medicines

Know the medicines that you or your child take. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start any new medicine while taking Adderall without talking to your doctor first.

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child takes:

• Anti-depression medicines including MAOIs
• Blood pressure medicines
• Antacids
• Seizure medicines

Know the medicines that you or your child takes. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start any new medicine while taking Dexedrine without talking to your doctor first.

• Take Adderall exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.
• Adderall tablets are usually taken two to three times a day. The first dose is usually taken when you first wake in the morning. One or two more doses may be taken during the day, 4 to 6 hours apart.
• Adderall can be taken with or without food.
• From time to time, your doctor may stop Adderall treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
• Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking Adderall. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Adderall. Adderall treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
• If you or your child take too much Adderall or overdoses, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.

• Take Dexedrine exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.
• Dexedrine comes as a capsule.
• Dexedrine capsules are usually taken once a day in the morning. Dexedrine is an extended release capsule. It releases medicine into your body throughout the day.
• From time to time, your doctor may stop treatment with Dexedrine for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
• Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking Dexedrine. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Dexedrine. Treatment with Dexedrine may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
• If you or your child takes too much Dexedrine or overdoses, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.