From the FDA Drug Label
DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE Dextroamphetamine sulfate tablets are a Schedule II controlled substance. Amphetamines have been extensively abused. The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Adderall misuse is widespread, with approximately 5-35% of college students having misused Adderall at some point, according to studies 1. The misuse occurs when people take the medication without a prescription, take higher doses than prescribed, or use it for non-medical purposes like enhancing academic or work performance. Some key points to consider:
- People often mistakenly believe Adderall is safe because it's a prescription medication, but misuse can lead to serious health consequences including cardiovascular problems, psychological dependence, insomnia, and in severe cases, psychosis 2.
- The stimulant properties of Adderall, which contains amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, increase dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, creating effects that some find desirable for non-medical purposes, contributing to its high misuse rates 3.
- College students show particularly high rates of Adderall misuse, with studies indicating that individuals with ADHD may have higher rates of stimulant misuse than individuals without the disorder 3.
- Characteristics such as sex, race, use of illicit drugs, and academic performance are associated with misuse of stimulant medications 3.
- The risk for serious cardiovascular adverse events, including statistically or clinically significant increases in QTc, and sudden cardiac death associated with stimulants prescribed for ADHD is extremely low, and the benefits of treating individual patients with ADHD outweigh the risks 2.