Girls, ADHD, and Adderall

January 14, 2010 by Administrator
Filed under Health & Wellbeing

By: Kelly Fuller.

Millions of young girls are currently taking Adderall to treat their ADD or ADHD. According to a publication by Drugs.com, Adderall is a mix of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine that affects the Central Nervous System through increasing the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. It is used to treat both Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder, or ADHD, and narcolepsy (5). Amphetamines are also used to treat obesity and depression (1). The chemical makeup of Adderall resembles that of cocaine.

How Does Adderall Work?

The chemical action of Adderall is as follows. According to a recent lecture by Dr. David Tam, Ph.D., Adderall blocks the dopamine transporters at the chemical synapses in the brain. For this reason, dopamine is not transported to the postsynaptic cells, and the dopamiine levels at the synapse increase. To most people, this outcome would stimulate the Central Nervous System in a similar fashion to cocaine. However, for individuals with ADHD, the medication produces a calming effect (2).

MedTV tells us that the half life of Adderall is 12 hours (3). They also mention that Ritalin, another popular treatment for ADHD, has a half life of only four hours (4). For this reason, parents often believe that Adderall is a better medication for treating their child’s ADHD.

The Effects of Adderall

Adderall has many positive effects on children with ADHD. Dr. Tam mentions that these include an increase in alertness, attention, focus, and motor performance. Adderall has also been known to decrease appetite (2).

Dr. Tam also informs us that the drug can cause slightly more serious chronic effects. At high doses, the drug can induce psychosis or paranoia from the increase in dopamine. It may also cause a disrupted sleep pattern or insomnia. At low doses, Adderall can induce an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, excitement, euphoria, mood, alertness, wakefulness, and speech activity, as well as a relaxation of bronchial muscles. By enhancing mood, the drug also heightens self confidence, and in doing so, it may heighten task performance or athletic performance (2).

At medium doses on a chronic basis, Adderall can increase tremors, restlessness, agitation, sleep deprivation, and respiration. Furthermore, with chronic high doses, the drug can increase aggressive outbursts, anorexia, psychosis, paranoia, repetitive activities, and much more (2).

Side effects of taking Adderall are wide-ranging and often dangerous, especially in growing girls. According to Drugs.com, Adderall’s side effects occur in many body systems including the cardiovascular, Central Nervous, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems, along with various allergic reactions. First, in the cardiovascular system, Adderall has been known to cause tachycardia, elevation of blood pressure, heart palpitations, myocardial infarction and sudden death, along with isolated cases of cardiomyopathy as a result of chronic amphetamine use. Second, in the Central Nervous System (CNS), the drug has produced insomnia, restlessness, dyskinesia, depression, tremors, dysphoria, headaches, over- stimulation, dizziness, euphoria, seizures, stroke, Tourette’s syndrome, increased severity of phonic or motor tics, and even psychotic episodes at recommended doses. Third, in the gastrointestinal system, patients may experience unpleasant taste, dryness of mouth, diarrhea, constipation, anorexia, weight loss, and other gastrointestinal disturbances. Next, endocrine symptoms include libido changes and impotence. Lastly, those taking Adderall have been known to experience allergic reactions such as Urticaria, as well as rare symptoms similar to angiodema and anaphylaxis (5).

Adderall withdrawal symptoms fall into many categories. Wrong Diagnosis, an online database of health-related information, mentions a lengthy list of Adderall withdrawal symptoms. These include fatigue, oversleeping, anxiety, agitation, depression, increased appetite, suicidal thoughts, and psychosis (6).

The Dangers of Adderall

The dangers of Adderall go beyond overdose and withdrawal, in that most individuals do not completely understand Adderall’s chemical mode of action. In fact, many people believe that the drug actually changes the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. For example, in a recent article from the Daily Pennsylvanian of the University of Pennsylvania, Reporter Brooke Daley states that “Adderall stimulates the central nervous system by increasing the amount of certain chemicals, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, in the brain. These chemicals, or neurotransmitters, help the brain send signals between nerve cells (7).” Here, the writer implies that dopamine levels increase throughout the entire brain. This statement is not scientifically accurate. Adderall actually works by blocking the dopamine transporters at the brain’s chemical synapses. For this reason, only dopamine levels at the synapse increase, as previously stated. Based on this data, I conclude that Adderall does not increase dopamine levels throughout the entire brain.

Another myth about Adderall concerns its effect on those who do not have ADHD. Many individuals believe that everyone responds to Adderall in the same manner, whether they have ADHD or not. For example, a writer named Purlah of the online question-and-answer forum “Ask Erowid,” when speaking of Adderall, says “Proper dosages of stimulants work for many people in the short term to increase focus (8).” However, this statement is a broad generalization that is not necessarily scientifically accurate because Adderall does not affect ADHD patients and non-ADHD patients in the same way. As previously stated, for patients with ADHD, Adderall gives a calming effect. On the other hand, in non-ADHD individuals, Adderall stimulates the Central Nervous System, “speeding it up” as cocaine would.

Also, many Adderall users believe that overdose of this drug is not a serious health hazard. On one popular feedback site, Askapatient.com, multiple users said that they moderate their drug dosage depending on how they feel per day. One patient said that he chooses his Adderall dosage each day, and regardless of his prescription, chooses either 5mg, 10mg, or 15mg (9). However, according to a lecture by Dr. Tam on November 15, 2009, Adderall should only be taken at the correct dosage as indicated by a medical doctor and psychiatrist. Otherwise, negative side effects could occur (2).

Overall, Adderall is an effective medication for treating ADHD. Caution should be exercised when prescribing this drug; Adderall should only be prescribed carefully at the correct dosages. Furthermore, patients should seek medical attention immediately if side effects occur. Also, girls should never take unprescribed Adderall. This medication should not be used to increase focus, or for any other reason, by anyone who was not prescribed this medication. Taking unprescribed Adderall is a risk that no adolescent girl should take.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kelly Fuller is a student at University of North Texas. She is completing a degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. She works as a supplemental instructor at the Learning Center, where she tutors algebra classes. She plans to attend medical school and enter the field of plastic surgery; other interests for the future include medical mission work.

References:

1) Drug News. 16 Aug 2008. 14 Nov. 2009, www.adderall.net.
2) Dr. David Tam. University of North Texas Biology Department. 15 Nov. 2009, www.biol.unt.edu/~tam/index.html.
3) Monson, Kristi. “What Is Adderall?” 10 Jul. 2008. MedTV. 16 Nov. 2009, www.adhd.emedtv.com/adderall/adderall.html.
4) “How Long Does Ritalin Stay in Your System?” MedTV. 16 Nov. 2009, 5) "Adderall Side Effects." Drugs.com. 2009. 18 Nov. 2009, www.drugs.com/sfx/adderall-side-effects.html.
6) "Symptoms of Amphetamine Withdrawal." Wrong Diagnosis. 17 Nov. 2009, www.wrongdiagnosis.com/a/amphetamine_withdrawal/symptoms.htm.
7) Daley, Brooke. "Adderall: Miracle Drug?" ''Daily Pennsylvanian''. 20 Apr. 2004. University of Pennsylvania. 5 Dec. 2009, www.vpul.upenn.edu/ohe/library/drugs/adderall.htm.
Purlah. "Adderall." Ask Erowid. 10 Apr. 2008. 01 Dec. 2009, www.erowid.org/ask/ask.php?ID=1600.
9)"Adderall 10." Ask a Patient. 02 Dec. 2009, www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=11522.
10) Dr. David Tam. University of North Texas Biology Department. 15 Nov. 2007, www.biol.unt.edu/~tam/index.html.