Controlled substances are illegal or prescription drugs regulated by the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in the United States. Recognizing the potential that certain medications have for abuse and dependence, Congress enacted the CSA as part of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970.
This act categorizes all substances that are regulated under federal law into “schedules,” depending on how potentially dangerous they are. The schedule the drug is placed under depends on its medical use, its potential for abuse, and its safety or how easily people become dependent on it.
Careful consideration has gone into this categorization. The control of drugs through law exists to protect people from the harm that these drugs can do. It is based on research from many different sources into the potential harmfulness of the drug, both to individuals and to society.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is the brand name for the combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It’s a prescription stimulant used primarily to treat ADHD or narcolepsy (daytime sleepiness).
The medication alters certain naturally-occurring chemicals in your brain by enhancing the effects of neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and, to a lesser degree, serotonin.
Adderall comes in either an immediate-release tablet or a time-release capsule (Adderall XR). It can interfere with sleep, so it should be taken in the morning. If you’re prescribed Adderall, a doctor will most likely start you off with a low dose to make sure you can tolerate it. Then, the dose can be slowly increased.
Before taking Adderall, talk with a doctor about any preexisting physical or mental health problems you have and list all other prescription and over-the-counter medications you take. Certain other medications may interact with Adderall and cause serious side effects.
These medications can include:
• certain anti-depression medications
• certain blood pressure medications
• seizure medications
• blood thinners
• decongestants
• stomach acid medications, including antacids and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
How does Adderall work?
For people with ADHD, Adderall may improve focus and attention while reducing hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. It works by increasing the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.
Dopamine helps the brain reinforce rewarding behaviors. Norepinephrine affects your heart rate, blood vessels, blood pressure, and breathing. It can also affect your blood sugar.
It may have similar effects on people who do not have ADHD. Medications for ADHD like Adderall may be more effective when used along with behavioral therapy or a comprehensive treatment plan that may include psychological, educational, or social therapies.
Is Adderall A Controlled Substance?
Yes, Adderall is a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States because it has a high potential for abuse and addiction and should only be used under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals. Abuse of amphetamine has long been a problem in the US, diverted legal prescription, prescription fraud, doctor shopping, pharmacy theft, and clandestine laboratories are sources of this drug on the black market.
When taken at typical doses for conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Adderall doesn’t usually cause a feeling of being high.
Some people who take Adderall may experience feelings of being energetic, focused, excited, or self-confident. Feelings of euphoria also sometimes occur. These effects are more likely when the medication is misused.
For this reason, most medications used to treat ADHD, including Adderall, are considered controlled substances. This is why most prescriptions for ADHD medications are typically not for more than 30 days.
When did Adderall become a controlled substance?
Adderall has always been a controlled substance since the schedule classification was introduced in 1970, and classified as a Schedule III substance. However, in 2001 the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reclassified it as a Schedule II substance, because of its “high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.
Is it illegal to carry Adderall?
No, it is generally not considered illegal to carry an ADHD medication like Adderall as long as the person carrying the medication is the person, parent, or caretaker for whom the medication has been properly prescribed. Some states have laws that require the medication to be carried in the original prescription bottle with a current label that identifies the person for whom the medication is intended. In other states, proof of prescription is generally considered sufficient.
What are the possible side effects of Adderall?
Adderall can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Adderall. This list doesn’t include all possible side effects.
More common side effects
The more common side effects of Adderall can include:
• anxiety
• constipation
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• headache
• lack of appetite
• nausea
• stomach pain
• trouble sleeping
• weight loss
These side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
• agitated or aggressive behavior
• blurred vision
• depression
• hallucinations
• heart problems, including high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, heart attack, and stroke
• impaired or delusional thinking
• irritability
• muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis
• severe allergic reaction
Long-term effects
Adderall is safe to use long-term when taken at doctor-recommended dosages. For many people, common side effects such as loss of appetite, dry mouth, or insomnia are reduced with continued use of the drug. For others, these side effects may continue.
Long-term use of Adderall or other stimulants may cause some changes in the brain, such as decreases in the amount of the chemical messenger dopamine. This seems more likely to happen in people who misuse Adderall in high doses. (Drug misuse is also called abuse.)
When Adderall is misused, long-term use can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Inappropriate use can lead to many serious side effects, including:
• anorexia and unwanted weight loss
• depression
• fatigue
• heart damage
• moodiness or irritability
• severe insomnia (trouble sleeping)
• skin disorders
• symptoms of psychosis such as aggression and hallucinations
You may also find useful information on Adderall Side Effects In Adults Sexually (Men and Women)
