Adderall Drug

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

The US Food and Drug and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a shortage of Adderall, medication used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There is not sufficient supply to continue to meet US market demand.

Adderall and its treatment for ADHD

• Adderall is the brand name for the formulation that consists of a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. 
• It is an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy, a sleep condition that causes daytime sleepiness.
• The CDC states that symptoms can appear different at older ages, for example, hyperactivity can appear as extreme restlessness.
• Adderall belongs to the class of drugs known as stimulants and increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.
• For people diagnosed with ADHD, Adderall can help improve focus, concentration, impulse control and hyperactivity, because of its effects on the central nervous system.
• It can also have the same effects on those who do not have ADHD.
• Adderall is classified as a Schedule II drug in the US, which means that while it has positive medicinal effects, there is a large potential for abuse.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• ADHD is one the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood, usually diagnosed at an early age and lasting into adulthood. 
• According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children with ADHD might have trouble paying attention or controlling impulsive behaviours, and can be overly active.
• Many adults remain undiagnosed, and symptoms can cause difficulty at work, home or relationships. 
• There are three different types of ADHD:

• Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
• Combined Presentation

• The causes and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role.
• Other possible causes may include brain injury, exposure to environmental risks (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age, alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, premature delivery, low birth weight, etc.

Amphetamines have been extensively abused. Tolerance, extreme psychological dependence, and severe social disability have occurred.