Adderall is a short acting stimulant and is generally given twice a day.
Adderall XR is a long acting form of this stimulant that can be given just once a day, so that children don't have to take a lunch time dose. It usually lasts 10-12 hours in many children.
Dosage
As with other stimulants, the usual philosophy is to start with a low dosage and then work your way up as needed, either until it is working well or the child is having untolerable side effects.In general, the dosage of Adderall is about 1/2 that of methylphenidate (Ritalin) containing products, so 20mg of Ritalin would be about equivalent to 10mg of Adderall.
Adderall is approved for use in children over age 3 years. It is generally started at a dose of 2.5mg in children under age 5 and gradually increased as necessary. Older children often start with a 5mg dose. These double scored tablets are available in sizes of 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, 15mg, 20mg, 25mg and 30mg.
Adderall XR (extended release) is approved for children over age 6 and it is available as a once a day capsule. It is available in sizes of 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 25mg and 30mg. For children switching from regular Adderall to Adderall XR, you usually just add up the dosage they take throughout the day and that is there single dose of Adderall XR. So kids taking 10mg of Adderall twice a day would take one Adderall XR 20mg in the morning.
Side Effects
Although generally well tolerated, the main side effects of Adderall and Adderall XR include anorexia (loss of appetite), insomnia (difficulty sleeping), weight loss, emotional lability, increased tics, abdominal pain (stomachache) and depression.You should not take Adderall if you have a heart defect, other heart problems, including high blood pressure, and heart or blood vessel disease, an overactive thyroid, glaucoma, or a history of drug abuse.
If side effects don't improve with time, your Pediatrician may have to lower your child's dosage or consider changing to another medication, such as Concerta or Strattera.
FDA ALERT (02/09/05) – Sudden Deaths in Children
Health Canada has suspended marketing of Adderall XR products from the Canadian market due to concern about reports of sudden unexplained death (SUD) in children taking Adderall and Adderall XR. SUD has been associated with amphetamine abuse and reported in children with underlying cardiac abnormalities taking recommended doses of amphetamines, including Adderall and Adderall XR. In addition, a very small number of cases of SUD have been reported in children without structural cardiac abnormalities taking Adderall. At this time, FDA cannot conclude that recommended doses of Adderall can cause SUD, but is continuing to carefully evaluate these data.In considering Health Canada's action, it is important to keep in mind that almost 1 million children and adults in the United States take Adderall or Adderall XR and that amphetamines have been safely used for over 50 years.
If you are still concerned about giving your child Adderall or Adderall XR, be sure to talk to your Pediatrician.
