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Adderall XR (Dextroamphetamine Saccharate / Amphetamine Aspartate Monohydrate / Dextroamphetamine Sulfate / Amphetamine Sulfate) - Summary

 
 



AMPHETAMINES HAVE A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE. ADMINISTRATION OF

AMPHETAMINES FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME MAY LEAD TO DRUG DEPENDENCE. PARTICULAR ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE POSSIBILITY OF SUBJECTS OBTAINING AMPHETAMINES FOR NON-THERAPEUTIC USE OR DISTRIBUTION TO OTHERS AND THE DRUGS SHOULD BE PRESCRIBED OR DISPENSED SPARINGLY.

MISUSE OF AMPHETAMINE MAY CAUSE SUDDEN DEATH AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR ADVERSE EVENTS.

 

ADDERALL XR SUMMARY

ADDERALL XR® CAPSULES CII Rx Only

ADDERALL XR® is a once daily extended-release, single-entity amphetamine product. ADDERALL XR® combines the neutral sulfate salts of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, with the dextro isomer of amphetamine sac-charate and d,l-amphetamine aspartate monohydrate. The ADDERALL XR® capsule contains two types of drug-containing beads designed to give a double-pulsed delivery of amphetamines, which prolongs the release of amphetamine from ADDERALL XR® compared to the conventional ADDERALL® (immediate-release) tablet formulation.

ADDERALL XR® is indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The efficacy of ADDERALL XR® in the treatment of ADHD was established on the basis of two controlled trials in children aged 6 to 12, and one controlled trial in adults who met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY), along with extrapolation from the known efficacy of ADDERALL®, the immediate-release formulation of this substance.

A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; DSM-IV) implies the presence of hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive symptoms that caused impairment and were present before age 7 years. The symptoms must cause clinically significant impairment, e.g., in social, academic, or occupational functioning, and be present in two or more settings, e.g., school (or work) and at home. The symptoms must not be better accounted for by another mental disorder. For the Inattentive Type, at least six of the following symptoms must have persisted for at least 6 months: lack of attention to details/careless mistakes; lack of sustained attention; poor listener; failure to follow through on tasks; poor organization; avoids tasks requiring sustained mental effort; loses things; easily distracted; forgetful. For the Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, at least six of the following symptoms must have persisted for at least 6 months: fidgeting/squirming; leaving seat; inappropriate running/climbing; difficulty with quiet activities; "on the go"; excessive talking; blurting answers; can't wait turn; intrusive. The Combined Type requires both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive criteria to be met.

Special Diagnostic Considerations: Specific etiology of this syndrome is unknown, and there is no single diagnostic test. Adequate diagnosis requires the use not only of medical but of special psychological, educational, and social resources. Learning may or may not be impaired. The diagnosis must be based upon a complete history and evaluation of the child and not solely on the presence of the required number of DSM-IV characteristics.

Need for Comprehensive Treatment Program: ADDERALL XR® is indicated as an integral part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include other measures (psychological, educational, social) for patients with this syndrome. Drug treatment may not be indicated for all children with this syndrome. Stimulants are not intended for use in the child who exhibits symptoms secondary to environmental factors and/or other primary psychiatric disorders, including psychosis. Appropriate educational placement is essential and psychosocial intervention is often helpful. When remedial measures alone are insufficient, the decision to prescribe stimulant medication will depend upon the physician's assessment of the chronicity and severity of the child's symptoms.

Long-Term Use: The effectiveness of ADDERALL XR® for long-term use, i.e., for more than 3 weeks in children and 4 weeks in adults, has not been systematically evaluated in controlled trials. Therefore, the physician who elects to use ADDERALL XR® for extended periods should periodically re-evaluate the long-term usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.


See all Adderall XR indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Adderall XR (Dextroamphetamine / Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine / Amphetamine)

Effects of oral methamphetamine on cocaine use: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [2008.12.04]
BACKGROUND: No medication is currently approved for the treatment of cocaine dependence, but several preclinical and clinical reports suggest agonist-like medications, e.g., amphetamine analogues, may be a productive strategy for medication development. OBJECTIVE: This current proof-of-concept study sought to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of methamphetamine as a candidate treatment for cocaine dependence... CONCLUSIONS: SR methamphetamine significantly reduced cocaine use and craving. Additional research is warranted to develop and evaluate agonist-like medications that may effectively treat cocaine dependence.

Evaluation of subjective effects of aripiprazole and methamphetamine in methamphetamine-dependent volunteers. [2008.12]
A variety of neuropharmacological strategies are being pursued in the search for an effective treatment for methamphetamine (Meth) addiction. In this study, we investigated the safety and potential efficacy of aripiprazole, an antipsychotic agent acting on both dopamine and serotonin systems... Further research with lower doses of aripiprazole, possibly using study designs aimed at evaluating efficacy for relapse prevention, are needed before ruling out aripiprazole as a treatment for Meth dependence.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-specific quality of life with triple-bead mixed amphetamine salts (SPD465) in adults: Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. [2008.11.04]
CONCLUSIONS: Adults with ADHD showed significantly improved QOL for both ADHD-specific and global measures with triple-bead MAS in comparison to placebo, based on AIM-A scores. Treatment-emergent adverse events were mostly mild to moderate in intensity and were consistent with amphetamine treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00150579. (c) Copyright 2008 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

Naltrexone for the treatment of amphetamine dependence: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. [2008.11]
CONCLUSIONS: This trial demonstrated the efficacy of naltrexone in reducing amphetamine use in amphetamine-dependent individuals.

Restoration of risk-propensity during sleep deprivation: caffeine, dextroamphetamine, and modafinil. [2008.09]
INTRODUCTION: Sleep deprivation alters risk-related judgments, decision-making, and behavioral control. Stimulant medications are used to restore cognitive performance, but their effects on risk-taking and judgment in sleep-deprived subjects have not been explored... CONCLUSIONS: Stimulant medications, particularly dextroamphetamine, sustained risk-related attitudes and behavior during continuous wakefulness. The extent to which stimulants restore other aspects of judgment during sleep loss remains to be determined.

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Adderall XR (Dextroamphetamine / Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine / Amphetamine)

Study of Adderall-XR for the Treatment of Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Cocaine Dependence [Completed]
The proposed protocol is a 3 group double-blind, placebo-controlled outpatient study of the safety and efficacy of Adderall-XR (ER-MAS) in the treatment of comorbid ADHD and cocaine dependence. Since this medication has independently shown promise in helping with ADHD and cocaine abuse, we are proposing that it may be successful in the treatment of comorbid ADHD and cocaine abuse. We plan to enroll 75 subjects in a 14-week trial. The primary objectives of the study are to determine the efficacy of ER-MAS in promoting cocaine abstinence and improvement in ADHD symptomology among cocaine-dependent patients with comorbid ADHD.

Safety and Efficacy of ADDERALL XR in the Treatment of Adolescents Aged 13-17 With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) [Completed]
Assess the safety and efficacy of ADDERALL XR compared to placebo in the treatment of adolescents (aged 13-17) with ADHD. Subjects were assigned to one of two cohorts based on weight (<= 75 kg or > 75 kg).

Adderall XR Compared With Concerta in Treating Young Cancer Patients With Memory, Attention, and Depression [Terminated]
RATIONALE: Stimulant drugs such as dextroamphetamine-amphetamine and methylphenidate may help improve memory, attention, and thinking problems caused by central nervous system (CNS) treatment for cancer, and may help decrease depression. PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying dextroamphetamine-amphetamine to see how well it works compared to methylphenidate in treating depression and problems with memory, attention, and thinking in children who have undergone CNS treatment for cancer. This trial will also study how often depression is seen and if these medications might help.

Analog Classroom Study Comparison of ADDERALL XR With STRATTERA in Children Aged 6-12 With ADHD [Completed]

A Placebo-Controlled Study of Mixed Amphetamine Salts and Topiramate for the Treatment of Cocaine Dependence [Completed]
The proposed protocol is a double-blind, placebo-controlled outpatient study of the safety and efficacy of Adderall-XR (ER-MAS) and topiramate in the treatment of cocaine dependence. Since both of these medications have independently shown promise in helping with cocaine abuse we are proposing that together they may be even more successful in the treatment of cocaine abuse. We plan to enroll 120 subjects in a 14-week trial. The primary objective of the study is to determine the efficacy of ER-MAS and topiramate in promoting cocaine abstinence among cocaine-dependent patients. This study includes free treatment for cocaine dependence that includes medication.

more trials >>


PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Based on a total of 12 ratings/reviews, Adderall XR has an overall score of 7.17. The effectiveness score is 9 and the side effect score is 6. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. Below are selected reviews: the highest, the median and the lowest rated.
 

Adderall XR review by 54 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Adult ADD
Dosage & duration:   20 mg. taken 1 x day for the period of 2004 to present
Other conditions:   asthma, allergies
Other drugs taken:   flovent, flonase, albuteral inhaler
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   In a very short period of time, there was a mental clarity that I had never experienced. I felt a calm and order to my life and work. I was truly able to focus on important things that I needed to do and did so efficiently, which was something I was never able to do. Menopause exacerbated the extreme mental fuzziness that I had already been experiencing with 4 children and a more than full time job. This drug has truly changed my life for the better!
Side effects:   I did not experience any side effects that were negative. I could hear better and think in a focused way within a short amount of time (30-45 minutes after taking the drug)
Comments:   I take a 30 mg. pill shortly after waking and within an hour, the fog that I chronically have had all of my life just lifts!

 

Adderall XR review by 53 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADD
Dosage & duration:   30 mg taken once a day for the period of ongoing
Other conditions:   mood swings
Other drugs taken:   lexapro
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Being more focused....alert...helped with over eating
Side effects:   when not taken I felt tired, and ate alot
Comments:   I took it once a day.. in the beginning it worked great but over time it didnt seem to be to effective... i took it for about 7 yrs. One thing is now that i am not taking it i eat more. i stopped taking lexapro 2yrs before. This didnt seem to help

 

Adderall XR review by 17 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Extremely Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADHD
Dosage & duration:   70mg taken once daily for the period of 3 years
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   effexor
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   i cant list very many benefits because my expierience was so bad that i would rather have been dead than have been forced to have taken this pill every day for 3 to 4 years
Side effects:   i was severly depressed and had a lot of suicide attempts and i thought everyone hated me. i always wanted to be dead and nobody listened to me, they just upped the dosage and with the higher dosage the worse it got
Comments:   it sucked. sure i didnt have ADHD but i also felt as though i lost my soul in the proccess. i became so depressed i actually began to feel like a shell

See all Adderall XR reviews / ratings >>

Page last updated: 2009-02-08

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