Alternatives To Adderall For ADHD: Natural, Over-the-Counter, & Prescription
Recent studies have revealed that the world is facing a shortage of the drug Adderall. Since it is very efficient for treating ADHD, it is widely prescribed to ADHD patients. The shortage is also due to an increase in the illegal use of this drug. The low production of Adderall is not able to deal with the sudden increase in demand for the drug, and hence shortage occurs. All these factors contribute to the importance of finding alternatives to Adderall, especially for ADHD patients, to be able to use them for managing symptoms.
In this blog, we will discuss all the best alternatives to Adderall so you can choose whichever works best for you if Adderall is not available at the moment or you are not able to take it for various reasons.
Explore Adderall and Its Various Natural & Prescription Alternatives
What is Adderall?
The drug Adderall is made from a combination of Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine. Being a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, its primary use is to treat patients with ADHD and enhance their concentration and focus. Amphetamine raises the level of neurotransmitters and prevents them from getting reabsorbed. Adderall is also used for treating narcolepsy in certain cases. This drug is available in both extended-release and immediate-release formulations, which are given according to the requirements of the individual.
The high potency of Adderall results in various side effects which is harmful to the body. Those effects are
- Increased blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Tremor
- Diarrhoea
- Weight loss
- Rash
- Hair loss
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Mood change
- Stomach pain
Who Cannot Use Adderall?
Adderall belongs to the category of Schedule II drugs, which makes it highly vulnerable to addiction and dependency, along with a wide range of side effects. This is the reason why Adderall can’t be prescribed to everyone. Let’s see the type of situation in which you must avoid Adderall.
You must avoid Adderall if:
- Glaucoma
- Thyroid
- Agitation
- High blood pressure
- History of alcohol and drug abuse
- Allergy to the drug
- Pregnant or trying to be Pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Anxiety
- Tics
- Seizure disorder
You must look out for these signs in yourself before planning to start using Adderall, to ask your doctor to suggest some other options.
Alternatives To Adderall
There are several ADHD alternatives to Adderall available for those individuals who are not able to take this drug. These options are equally effective and might provide even better results than this. The alternatives can be natural and artificial,i.e., other drugs. You can choose which works best for you and stick to it to get the most out of it.
What are Natural Alternatives To Adderall For ADHD?
Natural alternatives are always efficient because they help to ease the symptoms without any side effects. The time taken to show the effects might be high, but it is much safer and helps the body to heal smoothly. Although this won’t be very efficient entirely for conditions like ADHD, it can still be used if your symptoms are slightly lower.
Various natural options available are:
- Ginkgo biloba: Some research suggests that this is effective for ADHD because it tends to improve focus and concentration.
- Caffeine: This is widely known as a wakefulness-promoting agent, and this property helps in keeping the mind alert and improving concentration. This is mostly used in the case of children to ease their symptoms without harsh chemicals.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: They enhance memory, attention span, and impulse control.
- Therapy: It can help soothe the mind and brain, which ultimately leads to controlling the symptoms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is also used as one of the first lines of treatment for ADHD patients.
- Regular Exercise: Exercise boosts the production of neurotransmitters, which improves attention, focus, and mood. Exercise also helps regulate brain function and can improve sleep quality.
Over-the-Counter Alternatives To Adderall
There are no such drugs available, particularly over-the-counter, for Adderall. But several other drugs are available that have similar mechanisms to Adderall. They calm our minds and provide relief, hence enhancing focus and concentration.
Over-the-counter options for Adderall are:
- Pycnogenol: This drug reduces stress, which helps provide calmness to individuals facing ADHD.
- Caffeine: This is naturally available in tea, coffee, and other energy drinks.
- L-theanine: It is found naturally in green tea, and some studies suggest that it can help increase verbal fluency.
- Herbal stimulants: Although no such research is available on the efficiency for ADHD, certain herbal stimulants like Guarana and Ginseng have shown their effectiveness in some cases.
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: Deficiency of supplements like Zinc and Magnesium is found to be somewhat linked with increasing the symptoms of ADHD. Hence, it’s important to maintain a sufficient level of these in the body.
- Nootropics: This drug increases thought function, which can be helpful for ADHD patients.
- Phosphatidylserine: Children with low levels of Phosphatidylserine are often noticed to be affected by ADHD.
Prescription Medication Alternatives to Adderall
For individuals facing severe symptoms, medication is the best source of treatment to help deal with them fast. Since Adderall is not suitable for everyone, there are several other prescription medications available that can be used in place of Adderall. Such as:
Alternatives To Adderall For Pregnant Women
Taking any drugs while pregnant can be risky, so you must be very careful if you are taking any. For pregnant women with ADHD, Adderall can be a risky option to choose due to its high potency. So these women must opt for other safer alternatives to adderall when pregnant. They can opt for natural remedies if they are experiencing mild symptoms. But, for severe symptoms, natural remedies won’t be very effective, so they have to take certain non-stimulants like Clonidine or Bupropion. In some cases, certain methylphenidates like Ritalin and Concerta can also be used.
Where To Buy Adderall Alternatives?
Getting your hands on Adderall is not easy because it is a controlled substance. Some individuals try to get them illegally from various sellers, which carries a very high risk of getting fake ones, which is very harmful to your health. So, it is best to buy Adderall legally from certified sellers or simply get it prescribed by your doctor by giving them genuine proof. You might have to go through certain procedures, like certain medical examinations, counselling, and checking your history of any drug abuse. This procedure is the safest option because you will be getting a genuine product along with expert consultation regarding the doses.
Conclusion
Hence, we can conclude that there are several other alternatives available that can be taken instead of Adderall for improving your condition. Before choosing any alternatives, you must consult a doctor and seek their advice. Tell the doctor about any allergies or if you are already taking any drug to help them prescribe an accurate drug for your treatment. Do not overdose on the drug and take it as per their advice.