Prescription medication · CNS Stimulant

amphetamine/dextroamphetamine

Also sold as Adderall, Adderall XR. Adderall XR treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and kids 6 years and older.

Data updated 2026-05-15

6,878
FDA reports
In shortage
FDA status

What the data shows

amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) is a prescription CNS Stimulant, with 6,878 FDA adverse-event reports on file.

Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.

amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) is a prescription CNS Stimulant. Adderall XR treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and kids 6 years and older.

Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine. It is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →

Drug Shortage Alert

amphetamine/dextroamphetamine is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Aurobindo Pharma USA. Status: Unavailable.

View all drug shortages →

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Brand Price

$6.84/unit

Generic Price

$10.28/unit

Generic Available

Yes (1 manufacturer)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

View Alternatives → Compare with Another Drug →

What it does

Adderall XR treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and kids 6 years and older.

Common side effects

Loss of appetite, Trouble sleeping, Stomach pain

Key warnings

Adderall XR has a high risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction.

The sections below are summarized in plain English from amphetamine/dextroamphetamine's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.

How It Works

Adderall XR works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain. These substances affect attention and behavior. It helps to improve focus and reduce impulsive actions.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 6,878 FDA adverse event reports.

Most-reported reactions

Adverse reactions in FAERS for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, by number of reports

reports

What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.

Source FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)

Serious Warnings

Adderall XR has a high risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Misusing it can lead to overdose and death. Your doctor will check your risk before and during treatment. Store this medicine safely and do not give it to anyone else.

Common Questions

Can I take Adderall XR if I have heart problems?
You should avoid Adderall XR if you have serious heart problems.
Will Adderall XR affect my blood pressure?
Adderall XR can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Your doctor will monitor these.
Can Adderall XR cause mental health problems?
Adderall XR can cause psychiatric side effects. Tell your doctor if you have any new or worsening mental health symptoms.
Will Adderall XR affect my child's growth?
Adderall XR can slow growth in children. Your doctor will monitor your child's height and weight.
Can Adderall XR cause seizures?
Adderall XR can lower the chance of seizures. Tell your doctor if you have a seizure while taking this medicine.
What should I do if I experience numbness or color changes in my fingers or toes?
Tell your doctor if you have numbness, pain, or color changes in your fingers or toes.
Can Adderall XR cause Serotonin Syndrome?
Adderall XR can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome if taken with certain other drugs. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take.
Can Adderall XR cause tics?
Adderall XR can cause or worsen tics. Your doctor will check for tics before and during treatment.
Can I stop taking Adderall XR suddenly?
Talk to your doctor before stopping Adderall XR. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Can Adderall XR be abused?
Yes, Adderall XR has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Store it securely and do not share it.
What are the common side effects of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine?
The registry lists Loss of appetite, Trouble sleeping, Stomach pain, Feeling emotional, Throwing up among the most-reported FAERS reaction terms for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine. The compiled record contains 6,878 FDA adverse-event reports. These counts are not an individual symptom assessment.
What drug class is amphetamine/dextroamphetamine?
amphetamine/dextroamphetamine belongs to the CNS Stimulant drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Adderall XR treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and kids 6 years and older.
What pregnancy or breastfeeding source fields are listed for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine?
The FDA label for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine contains product-specific pregnancy or breastfeeding language. PlainMeds does not apply that source text to an individual.
Is amphetamine/dextroamphetamine currently in shortage?
Yes, amphetamine/dextroamphetamine is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Aurobindo Pharma USA. Status: Unavailable. Visit the FDA Drug Shortages database for the latest updates.

Related Medications in CNS Stimulant

Other drugs grouped near amphetamine/dextroamphetamine - same-class peers and common alternatives.

acamprosate

Campral

Acamprosate is a medicine that can help you stay away from alcohol if you are alcohol-dependent and have already stopped drinking.

Compare with amphetamine/dextroamphetamine →

alprazolam

Xanax

Alprazolam (Xanax) is a medication that can help you with anxiety and panic disorders.

Compare with amphetamine/dextroamphetamine →

amitriptyline

Elavil

Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression.

Compare with amphetamine/dextroamphetamine →

aripiprazole

Abilify

Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.

Compare with amphetamine/dextroamphetamine →

asenapine

Saphris

Asenapine (Saphris) is an antipsychotic medicine.

Compare with amphetamine/dextroamphetamine →

Compare amphetamine/dextroamphetamine vs acamprosate side-by-side →

Medication Guides

Understanding Drug Interactions

How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications

Generic vs Brand Name Drugs

FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters

Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs

FDA bioequivalence and label-record context for narrow therapeutic index medicines

Common Drug Interactions

Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself

Save on amphetamine/dextroamphetamine

Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.

Check Prices on GoodRx →

Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.

What the FDA Data Shows for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine

The FDA label for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (sold under brand names such as Adderall, Adderall XR) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the CNS Stimulant class. Adderall XR treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and kids 6 years and older. Official labeling lists 18 commonly reported side effects, including Loss of appetite, Trouble sleeping, Stomach pain.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 6,878 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $10.28 versus $6.84 for the brand.

Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information are separate source-record fields. This page is a public FDA/CMS registry and does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. This registry does not provide medication decisions.

Last updated: September 23, 2025

PlainMeds is rendered directly from FDA openFDA/FAERS extracts, DailyMed labels, and CMS drug-pricing files, no number is typed in by an editor. FAERS counts, recalls, shortages, and price figures on this page are queried live from those federal extracts. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-05-15. Primary sources: openFDA / FAERS, DailyMed and CMS Part B ASP.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled from the source snapshot dated . See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a data issue.

All federal data sources used on this page