Introduction
Many individuals seek quick and simple methods for weight loss. The prescription medication Adderall has been linked to weight loss, leading some to consider it as a potential aid in shedding pounds. Adderall, containing amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, is prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. These stimulant drugs impact brain chemicals. While Adderall may be used for weight loss, it should only be under a doctor's prescription and supervision.
How Adderall Affects Weight
Decreased appetite and weight loss are indeed possible side effects of Adderall. Both adults and children using Adderall may experience these effects. However, it's important to note that Adderall is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a weight loss drug; it is only approved for treating ADHD and narcolepsy. Doctors may prescribe Adderall off-label for weight loss, which means the use has not been reviewed or approved by the FDA. It's crucial to only use Adderall for weight loss if prescribed by a doctor who can monitor its effectiveness and safety.
Risks and Side Effects
Misusing Adderall for weight loss can lead to serious side effects. Some potential side effects include:
- High blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Anorexia
- Mood swings
- Headache
- Trouble sleeping
Adderall use is particularly dangerous for individuals with heart defects or other heart problems. Even with ADHD or narcolepsy, doctors may not prescribe Adderall if a patient has a heart condition or a high risk of developing one.
Serious Health Warnings
Adderall carries a boxed warning, the FDA's most serious warning, highlighting its high risk of dependence, potentially leading to psychological and physical addiction. The warning also states that Adderall can cause sudden death and serious heart problems.
Read also: Weight Loss with Adderall: What You Need to Know
Impact on Children
In young people taking Adderall for ADHD, a possible side effect is slowed growth and poor weight gain. A 2014 study linked stimulant use for ADHD in children with slower growth in body mass index (BMI). However, this seemed to change in later years, with children who took stimulants gaining more weight than those who did not.
If a child takes Adderall and there are concerns about weight loss or decreased appetite, consulting a doctor is recommended. They can provide guidance on diet and may refer to a registered dietitian for specialized care. This helps manage the child's diet to ensure they eat well and maintain a healthy weight.
Alternatives and Considerations
If concerned about weight, Adderall is not a recommended quick fix. It is a powerful drug with serious side effects and should only be used with a doctor's prescription. Consulting a doctor about weight loss options and the potential effects of Adderall is crucial. They can help develop a suitable weight loss plan and manage any side effects from proper Adderall use.
Questions to ask a doctor may include:
- Is Adderall a safe and appropriate medication?
- What side effects can be expected, and how can they be managed?
- How can any effects Adderall has on a child’s weight be managed?
- How much weight loss can be expected with Adderall? Will the weight return after stopping the medication?
- What weight loss options should be considered?
Important Precautions and Monitoring
Regular visits to the doctor are essential to monitor progress and ensure the medication is working correctly. Blood tests may be necessary to check for unwanted effects.
Read also: Does Adderall Help You Lose Weight?
Contraindications and Interactions
Avoid taking amphetamine and dextroamphetamine combination with a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. Do not start taking this medicine during the 2 weeks after stopping an MAO inhibitor to prevent confusion, agitation, headaches, restlessness, stomach or bowel symptoms, a sudden high body temperature, an extremely high blood pressure, or severe seizures.
Heart and Blood Vessel Problems
This medicine may cause serious heart or blood vessel problems, especially in patients with a family history of heart disease. Seek immediate medical attention if experiencing chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or a fast, irregular heartbeat. Regular blood pressure and heart rate measurements are necessary before starting and during medication use.
Behavioral Changes
Report any unusual changes in behavior, including increased aggression, hostility, agitation, irritability, or suicidal thoughts, as well as hallucinations or unusual thoughts, especially if new or worsening quickly.
Dizziness and Blurred Vision
This medicine may cause a false sense of well-being, dizziness, lightheadedness, or blurred vision. Avoid driving or dangerous activities until the effects of the medicine are known.
Dependence and Withdrawal
If long-term use leads to mental or physical dependence, consult a doctor. Signs of dependence include a strong desire to continue using the medicine, a need to increase the dose, and withdrawal effects after stopping the medicine.
Read also: The Truth About Adderall, Weight Loss, and Weight Gain
Growth and Weight Loss in Children
This medicine may cause slow growth and weight loss in children. The doctor will monitor height and weight to ensure proper growth.
Raynaud's Phenomenon
This medicine may cause Raynaud's phenomenon, a problem with blood circulation in the fingers or toes. Report tingling, pain, cold feeling, paleness, or skin color changes in the fingers or toes, especially when exposed to cold temperatures.
Overdose Symptoms
Symptoms of an overdose include agitation, blurred vision, change in consciousness, chest pain, confusion, dark urine, diarrhea, dizziness, faintness, fast heartbeat, fever, headache, inability to speak, loss of consciousness, muscle issues, nausea, nervousness, overactive reflexes, pain, pale skin, palpitations, hallucinations, seizures, shivering, slurred speech, sweating, uncontrolled excitement, temporary blindness, thirst, trembling, trouble breathing, tiredness, vomiting, or weakness. Seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms occur.
Medical Tests
Inform medical personnel about using this medicine before undergoing any medical tests, as it may affect the results.
Seizures and Serotonin Syndrome
This medicine may increase the risk of seizures, especially in patients with a history of seizures or heart rhythm problems. Seek immediate medical attention if this happens. Also, seek immediate medical attention if experiencing anxiety, restlessness, a fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or hallucinations, as these may be symptoms of serotonin syndrome.
Interactions with Other Substances
Avoid drinking alcohol while using this medicine and avoid use with medications that increase stomach or urine alkalinity, including sodium bicarbonate. Do not take other medicines without discussing them with your doctor, including prescription or nonprescription medicines, herbal supplements, and especially those for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, allergies, or sinus problems.
Adderall vs. Adderall XR: Key Differences
Adderall and Adderall XR are both used to treat ADHD. ADHD is a chronic mental disorder that can affect children, adolescents, and adults. The most common symptoms of ADHD include inattention, impulsiveness, and restlessness. Adderall is also approved to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that involves excessive daytime drowsiness and sudden sleep attacks.
Both forms of Adderall contain the same active ingredients and work similarly. The main difference is that Adderall is an immediate-release drug (Adderall IR) and Adderall XR is an extended-release drug. Immediate-release Adderall needs to be taken multiple times per day, whereas Adderall XR can be taken once daily. Effects may wear off sooner with Adderall versus Adderall XR, which has a more gradual effect throughout the day.
It takes about seven hours for Adderall XR and around four hours for Adderall to reach maximum levels in the blood. Adderall comes as an oral tablet, while Adderall XR is available as an oral capsule. Adderall is available in strengths of 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg. Both Adderall and Adderall XR can be used on a short-term basis for 3 to 4 weeks.
Off-label uses of Adderall may include treatment of depression and/or anxiety, especially in those who already have ADHD. Approximately 75% of adults with ADHD also have another condition. Some practitioners may prescribe the use of a stimulant with an antidepressant for treating both ADHD and depression.
Dosage and Administration
Some adults and children can forget to take their second dose of Adderall later in the day, resulting in effects dropping off throughout the day. Adderall XR has good tolerability and may produce fewer 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 the drug, and some doctors instruct their patients to open the capsules and place the beads in soft foods like applesauce.
Whether Adderall or Adderall XR is prescribed depends on the individual's overall condition and symptoms. The dosing of these drugs is highly individualized and may need to be adjusted over time in some cases.
Cost and Coverage
Since 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. The average retail cost of Adderall tablets is around $827. Most Medicare and insurance plans will cover the generic version of Adderall XR. Depending on the pharmacy, the average retail cost can be up to $346. An Adderall XR savings card can lower this cost.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects of Adderall are insomnia, 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. Adderall and Adderall XR can also increase heart rate and blood pressure.
Drug Interactions
Both forms of Adderall have similar drug interactions. Adderall and Adderall XR can interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), alkalinizing agents, and CYP2D6 inhibitors. Acidifying agents can decrease the levels of amphetamine in the blood. Adderall and Adderall XR can decrease the effects of beta blockers and antihypertensives (blood pressure-lowering medications) because amphetamine produces stimulant effects that can increase blood pressure.
Adderall and Adderall XR are Schedule II controlled substances according to the DEA, meaning they have a high potential for drug abuse and dependence, especially when not taken as prescribed.
Special Populations
People with a history of heart disease, heart abnormalities, or other heart problems may have an increased risk of sudden death, heart attack, or stroke while taking CNS stimulants. Long-term Adderall use has been shown to cause suppression of growth in some children. Taking Adderall or Adderall XR can worsen tics.
Adderall Misuse and Weight Loss
Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) can cause weight loss as a side effect, but it is not prescribed as a weight loss drug. Weight loss may occur as a side effect for some people taking Adderall. You may also have panic attacks and personality changes. Adderall is a federally controlled substance because it can be misused or abused and can lead to dependence. Using Adderall for weight loss is considered misuse.
Amphetamine drugs are often misused or abused, either by buying them as street drugs or using other people’s prescription medications. Over time, when used for reasons other than for narcolepsy or ADHD, the effects of Adderall wear off, a phenomenon known as tolerance.
Misusing Adderall to lose weight can lead to substance use disorder and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if the drug is stopped suddenly. In addition to misusing Adderall to lose weight, some people misuse Adderall to improve their mental ability. College students have used amphetamines to help them study and get better grades. Older adults may use amphetamines to improve memory or energy.
When taken as prescribed, the effects of Adderall last for about 4 to 6 hours. The effects of Adderall XR last for up to 12 hours because this brand of Adderall is designed for slow and sustained release.
ADHD Medication and Weight Changes
ADHD medication can have side effects, including weight changes. Merely having ADHD may lead to weight gain because not being able to control impulses can lead to junk food cravings and overeating.
Stimulant drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) make you less hungry and make your body burn calories faster than usual. Some of them are even used to help people lose weight or treat binge eating. Children with ADHD who take stimulant medication often struggle to eat and gain weight, which can be an issue for growth.
Although the stimulant effect of ADHD medications can curb your appetite and help burn calories, once it wears off, your appetite can come roaring back. And if you overeat when you're not on your medicine, you could gain weight, especially since that's most often in the evening or at night.
Some people with ADHD also have depression and take antidepressants, a few of which have been linked to weight gain. People who have ADHD are about 5 times more likely to be overweight or obese than those who don't have it. There are a few possible reasons:
- Hard time controlling impulses: This can make it tough to resist another piece of pizza or a second slice of cake. People with ADHD are 5 times more likely to have the eating disorder bulimia, which can involve bingeing or overeating.
- The dopamine connection: This brain chemical might be at least partly to blame for overeating in connection with ADHD. Dopamine is part of your brain's reward center. It's the "feel-good" chemical that makes you satisfied after you eat a jelly doughnut or an order of French fries. People with ADHD tend to have low levels of dopamine. In fact, the stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD boost those levels. Eating high-carb foods also triggers a dopamine rush. That's why you might crave cookies, cakes, and other junk foods.
- Eating habits: Many ADHD symptoms can keep you from eating healthy. If you can’t plan ahead well, it can be hard to have time for low-calorie, nutritious meals or exercise. Trouble focusing and poor impulse control can distract you from choosing the right foods at a restaurant or supermarket, or from cooking a healthy meal at home. Lack of attention can keep you from realizing you're full. Trouble managing stress can lead to emotional eating. If you don’t like being bored, you might be more likely to eat when you have nothing else to do.
Strategies for Managing Weight with ADHD
If you have trouble controlling your urges to eat, one idea is to make it harder to binge. Keep chips, candy, and other junk foods out of your house. Stock your fridge and pantry with good-for-you treats like these in case you have a craving:
- Fresh fruit
- Carrot and celery sticks
- Nuts
- Cheese sticks
- Low-fat yogurt
Make a list before you go to the supermarket, and stick with it so you won't be tempted to buy something unhealthy. To make meals easier, cook a big batch of dinners at once and freeze them. Or use a prepared healthy meal service that delivers to your door.
If hyperactivity is a problem for you, use the extra energy to exercise. Go for a walk, do yoga, or just dance around your room. If you get bored easily, don't try to do a full hour of exercise at once. Break your routine into 10- or 15-minute segments to make them easier to finish. To help you stay motivated, keep track of your diet and fitness in a diary. A few smartphone apps make it easy to track your progress.