The FDA officially announced last week that there is a national shortage of Adderall, citing one of the manufacturing companies, Teva, is “experiencing ongoing intermittent manufacturing delays.” This doesn’t come as a surprise for many Americans who’ve had trouble filling their Adderall prescriptions in recent months.
Adderall is a medication that is most commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s a central nervous system stimulant and belongs to a class of drugs known as amphetamines – it’s widely prescribed and hasn’t been immune to controversy. Here are 8 interesting facts about Adderall:
1. Adderall is a brand name for the combination of two drugs
Those two are amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. These drugs are central nervous system stimulants that have a similar chemical structure to epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are hormones that affect the body’s “fight or flight” response.
2. Adderall has been banned by most professional sports leagues
There have been a number of controversies regarding players taking Adderall in sports, resulting in suspensions in recent years, as it has been banned in most professional sports because of its potential for enhancing athletic performance.
As reported in USA Today, “It is illegal without a prescription and is banned by the NFL, MLB, NBA and the NCAA.” In some other leagues, players could potentially take Adderall if they qualify for an exemption but “the leagues say it is a misconception that any player with a prescription qualifies for an exemption. The pro leagues and the NCAA have a process to determine whether an exemption is warranted.”
3. It’s usage among E-sports athletes has fueled a big debate
While Adderall has been banned by most professional sports, the same rules haven’t been created for E-sports, creating a big debate among players and watchers of E-sports leagues.
According to the Washington Post, Adderall and related stimulants have “been used by competitive gamers as a kind of performance enhancer to sharpen their response times and reflexes during game play. While at least one E-sports league regularly tests for these as banned substances, others have left them unchecked.”
One gamer is quoted saying, “Nobody talks about it because everyone is on it.”
4. Stimulants like Adderall have been used by fighters in war
Although not Adderall, ISIS in fighters in Syria were using another amphetamine –Captagon – to enhance focus and performance in battle and raise funds for the terror organization.
The Guardian reported that, “Syrian-made Captagon – an amphetamine widely consumed in the Middle East but almost unknown elsewhere – generated revenues of millions of dollars inside the country last year, some of which was almost certainly used to fund weapons, while combatants on both sides are reportedly turning to the stimulant to help them keep fighting.”
5. Adderall can be habit-forming
The potential to become addicted to Adderall and other ADHD medication exists, so it is important to take it only as prescribed by a doctor. Misuse of Adderall can lead to serious side effects, including heart problems, stroke, and addiction.
6. It’s not just for ADHD
Although Adderall is most commonly used to treat ADHD, it can also be used to treat other conditions such as narcolepsy and depression.
7. Adderall comes with a host of side-effects
Some common side effects of Adderall include loss of appetite, weight loss, dry mouth, insomnia, and dizziness. For me, it almost always gives me an upset stomach.
8. Recreational use of Adderall is illegal
If you are considering taking Adderall, it is important to talk to your doctor first as the drug may not be right for everyone. Be sure to disclose any other medications you are taking as well as any medical conditions you have in order to avoid any potential interactions or adverse effects.
Adderall is a medication with a variety of potential uses. It is important to speak with a doctor before taking Adderall in order to determine if it is the right medication for you and to avoid any potential adverse effects. Be sure to follow your prescribed dosage in order to avoid any potential for abuse or dependency on the drug.
If you have an Adderall prescription and are having trouble filling it, or are generally have trouble focusing and are looking for ways to get on task, here’s 8 tips on how to focus without Adderall.
The post National Adderall Shortage: 8 Interesting Facts About Adderall appeared first on The Village Voice.
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