National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse

Common Prescription Stimulants:

Adderall, Dexedrine, Ritalin.

What are Prescription Stimulants?

A class of drugs that enhance brain activity. Historically, doctors prescribed stimulants to treat asthma, obesity, neurological disorders, and various other ailments before their potential for abuse and addiction became apparent.

What do they look like?

Tablets and capsules.

How are they used?

Currently, they are medically prescribed for only a few health conditions, including narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and short-term treatment of obesity. When abused, they may be swallowed and/or injected.

What are their short-term effects?

Stimulants increase the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which increases blood pressure and heart rate, constricts blood vessels, increases blood glucose, and increases breathing. Effects can feel like increased alertness, attention, and energy, along with a sense of euphoria. 

What are their long-term effects?

Stimulants can be addictive in that individuals begin to use them compulsively. Taking high doses of some stimulants repeatedly over a short time can lead to feelings of hostility or paranoia. Additionally, taking high doses of stimulants may result in dangerously high body temperatures and an irregular heartbeat. There is also the potential for cardiovascular failure (heart attack) or lethal seizures.