The medication Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) comprises two stimulant medications that are most often used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the sleep disorder narcolepsy.


Adderall is available as Adderall IR, an immediate-release option, or as Adderall XR, an extended-release version. The extended release version allows people with ADHD to only take one dose per day. This makes it the ideal choice for children, as they do not require multiple doses during the school day. The effects of medicine with the immediate-release version typically last for 4-6 hours whereas the extended-release version is advertised as having a duration of at least 12 hours.

The stimulant drugs used for treating ADHD are very popular substances of abuse among college students who use them to "cram" during exam times to remain alert and alert; however, abuse of these medications also is associated with other substances, for example, alcohol, other stimulants and opiate drug. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) defines Adderall as a Schedule II controlled substance, that is, it is a substance which can lead to the development of physical dependence and it may be an extremely addictive drug when it isn't used according to its prescription and under the supervision of a doctor.


Suboxone (buprenorphine and Naloxone) is a prescription drug that has been specifically developed to assist individuals with opioid use disorders in getting off opioid drugs of abuse. Buprenorphine is an opioid agonist in partial form that connects to the same neurons of the brain that other opioid drugs do, but it does not have the full opioid effect. It helps individuals discontinue their drug of choice while not experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms.


The DEA classifies buprenorphine as a Schedule III controlled substance, meaning that it is a moderate risk for abuse and possibility of developing physical dependence. The naloxone ingredient in Suboxone is designed to provide an antidote to abuse the substance. Naloxone is a full opioid antagonist, and is frequently used to help people recover after an overdose of opiate drugs. When activated, this drug immediately binds to the opioid receptor sites in the brain, and eliminates any opioid drugs that are already in the brain, and it will not allow any opioid drugs to be able to connect to these receptor sites. Additionally that the activation of the drug triggers an immediate withdrawal reaction in those who are taking it. The naloxone found in Suboxone will not activated unless the substance is used in a manner which is not in accordance with its prescription that is, for instance, grinding it to a pulp and then trying to snort or inject it.


Using Suboxone and Adderall in Combination


Anyone who is trying to use Suboxone and Adderall together would most likely do so under the supervision of a physician. This combination of medications is usually not recommended. Patients who are recovering for an opiate dependence disorder and are taking Suboxone are not usually prescribed stimulant drugs like Adderall for ADHD until they are removed from Suboxone.


It's not clear whether these drugs are often used together as drugs of abuse. However there are a few reports of people using the two drugs together does occur. As per the publication Basic & Clinical Pharmacology and the information about the prescriptions associated with these medications, as per the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), several issues can occur when a person is taking a stimulant medication with Suboxone.


One of the main problems to be concerned about is the risk of overdosing on one of the substances due to taking two different drugs with distinct mechanisms of action. Buprenorphine, even though it is an opioid agonist in part, is still a central nervous system depressant properties, and as stimulant, Adderall can cause an increase in Central Nervous System activity. If taken together these two medications will cancel out some negative effects of one and users may not be convinced that they are achieving the desired psychoactive effects by taking either drug. This can lead to the risk of an overdose since the person may take more to experience the effects. This is most challenging for someone who is trying to use or misuse both drugs and not an individual who is prescribed both medications and using them at recommended dosages. Because buprenorphine is a drug that can lessen the effects of stimulants in Adderall, it would be assumed that one is more likely to overdose on Adderall than on buprenorphine; however, this can certainly be reversed. Overdosing on Adderall would result in a range of health issues, among them:

The possibility of paranoia and hallucinations

An increase in aggression and restlessness

The heart rate is increased and so is blood pressure

Potential for stroke or heart attack

The potential for seizures

Suboxone excess can lead to problems such as:

Complications related to respiratory suppression

Reduced heart rate and blood pressure

Possible unconsciousness or unconsciousness or

Taking a powerful stimulant medication with buprenorphine can result in decrease in the quantity of buprenorphine within the system or may counteract the effects of buprenorphine. In an individual who is using Suboxone for opioid replacement therapy it could cause the sufferer to experience withdrawal symptoms from opioids.

The increased potential from unexpected reactions as a result of combining these drugs can also be enhanced. This could be particularly challenging for people who have severe reactions that aren't typical, as it is difficult for medical professionals to identify what's happening to the individual unless they get information about the use of their medication directly from that individual or from someone else.

The adverse effects associated with both drugs can be altered in a significant way. The result could be atypical effects that may not even be similar to the side reactions that are typical for both drugs.

Common side effects associated with buprenorphine comprise:

Muscle aches and cramps

Insomnia

Constipation, nausea, or vomiting

Anxiety, irritation, or anxiety

Fever

Common side effects of Adderall include:

Heartbeat irregularity or increase

Hyperactivity

Mood swings

Extremity tremors

Psychotic symptoms

Tics or muscle is twitching

Blood pressure increases

Seizures, in rare cases

There is evidence to suggest that use of stimulant medications when a person is taking Suboxone for recovery from an opiate dependence disorder is linked to an increase in the desire for opiate-based drugs. This may result in people obstructing the objective of using Suboxone to begin with. Individuals in recovery, particularly those in the beginning stages of recovery, often need substantial assistance to deal with cravings for their drugs of preference, and any circumstance that can trigger an increase in cravings must be avoided.

It is worth noting that a person who is diagnosed with ADHD may be more prone to engaging in drug-seeking behavior in the absence of being addressed. So, someone who has ADHD and who is also undergoing treatment for opiate withdrawal may be prescribed Adderall as they take Suboxone. In such cases, physicians will most likely monitor these patients with great care.