It is the brand of choice among various sectors of the American population so it's no wonder Adderall is facing a supply crunch that's being reported by hundreds of U.S. pharmacies.
The National Community Pharmacists Association surveyed 358 store owners and managers about purchases of Adderall and its generic versions between July 25 and August 5 and found that 64 percent of them said the drug is on backorder.
This is understandable considering Adderall allows those working long, irregular hours to power through the day with maximum productivity.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., the largest seller of Adderall in the U.S., stated it encountered "supply disruptions" of the drug in late July, but expected the situation to improve soon.
It didn't happen though, as demand for the Food and Drug Administration-approved Adderall continued to rise. Consumers can also buy the drug online, albeit with the corresponding danger that they could get fake pills that contain the wrong ingredients.
According health analytics company Symphony Health, prescriptions filled for Adderall nearly quadrupled over the last decade. More than 41 million prescriptions were filled last year, up 10 percent from the 2020 figures.
The upward movement is certain to continue this year, with health experts noting the latest wave of demand increase can be attributed to the remote work and school trends post-Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).
Anxiety and depression brought about by isolation, lockdowns and health mandates caused more people, especially those who are mentally unstable, to seek relief from amphetamines like Adderall.
While the FDA has yet to report an overall shortage of amphetamine, it has admitted to being aware of Teva's delivery delays.
If administered properly under medical supervision, Adderall can help lessen hyperactivity and impulsive action.
However, clinical studies by eHealthMe revealed that impulsive behavior is found among people who take Adderall, especially for 10-19 year-old males who have been taking the drug for two to five years. This conclusion was based on reports of 39,387 people who experienced side effects when taking Adderall.
Adderall overdose could be fatal
The thing is, Adderall is habit-forming and is prone to be consumed in excess of what's prescribed. In fact, the federal government classifies Adderall as a Schedule II drug, the same as cocaine. That means the potential for abuse is high.
When this happens, an overdose may arise and endanger a person's life.
Overdose symptoms may include restlessness, tremor, muscle twitches, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, muscle pain or weakness and dark-colored urine.
Stimulants like Adderall are also known to cause stroke, heart attack and even sudden death in people with high blood pressure or other health ailments. (Related: Adderall has extreme side effects, but FDA says keep taking it.)
Just like any other medicine, Adderall is not suitable for everybody, especially those with glaucoma, an overactive thyroid, high blood pressure, heart disease, allergy to stimulants or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Breastfeeding mothers must also refrain from taking Adderall as it may cause premature birth, low birth weight and withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. It is also found to impede the growth of infants and children.
Adderall may also hinder critical thinking or slow down reaction time. It is also advisable that those taking it must refrain from drinking fruit juices or taking vitamin C at the same time because these can make the body absorb less of the medicine.
Common side effects of Adderall include stomach pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, mood changes, nervousness, fast heart rate, headache, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth and narcolepsy, a chronic sleep disorder characterized by daytime drowsiness and sudden bouts of sleepiness.
Adderall overdose may cause serious side effects that could be fatal.
That's why its users must look out for signs of health problems like chest pain, trouble breathing, hallucination and paranoia.
There are also circulation problems to consider like numbness, pain, chills, unexplained wounds, skin color changes, convulsions, muscle twitches or blurry vision.
Because of its potency and accessibility, Adderall is considered an addictive prescription stimulant. Over time, those habitually using Adderall develop a tolerance to the drug and are unable to function normally without it. That's why, as time passes by, Adderall users also raise their consumption to get the same effect.
Watch the video below to learn how to cope with ADHD.
This video is from the jroseland channel on Brighteon.com.
Other related articles:
Is ADHD drug causing epidemic of Wall Street suicides?
Before his death, father of ADHD admitted it was a fictitious disease.
Ditch the addictive Adderall: What is ADHD and can changing your diet reverse it?
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