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Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant composed of four amphetamine salts: amphetamine aspartate, amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, and dextroamphetamine sulfate (the last salt is also prescribed alone as DexedrineŽ). These four component salts are metabolised at different rates, making its effects smoother, with softer highs and lows, than those of other treatments for the same disorders. Its effects are otherwise similar to other central nervous system stimulants (see amphetamine for details.).
Adderall is manufactured and marketed by Shire Pharmaceuticals, and is available as either as an immediate-release tablet or an extended-release capsule, marketed as Adderall XR. Doses range from 5mg to 20mg per tablet for the instant-release formulation, and from 5mg to 30mg per capsule for the extended-release Adderall XR capsules.