Can Adderall cause Seizures?

My 9-year-old sister takes adderall for her ADHD. She has had 2 seizures recently and we don't know the cause. We fear it could be her medication and we are taking her off of it immediately. If you can help me, I would very much appreciate it.

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Every documentation I've read says thing as this one says, "seizures, mainly in patients with a history of seizures". VERY RARELY does Adderall create a seizure disorder, it only enhances the disorder that is already there. Report It

There are other meds available for ADHD and having a daughter with ADHD I know it is important to find the correct medication. Being mediated really does help. Don't forget, not having it means we do not know how they feel and how frustrating it is for them. Some children with ADHD are also prescribed anti-seizure drugs, this is very common.

What side effects may occur?
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Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you or your child to continue taking Adderall.

Side effects of Adderall may include:
Depression, dry mouth, heart attack, high blood pressure, hives, impotence, overstimulation, rapid or pounding heartbeat, seizures, stomach and intestinal disturbances, stroke, sudden death, weight loss
Side effects of Adderall XR may include:
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, fever, infection (including viral), insomnia, loss of appetite, mood swings, nausea, nervousness, vomiting, weakness, weight loss

My son was on adderall and it didn't help at all. But what has worked wonders for him is the Daytrana patch. It is a form of ritalin administered as a patch on the skin, kept on for 9 hours a day. It is miraculous. No side effects, except the patch irritates the skin under it, and it can decrease the appetite. Child keeps same personality, energy level, bubbly spirit, but is able to keep hands in pocket and focus instead of be all over the place.

I would say that you should not be diagnosing and making decisions about the medication without talking to a doctor. Depending on how long she has been on the medication, taking her off immediately could have other adverse affects.

Now, regarding the seizures. Many people automatically assume the medicine caused it. Talk to a neurologist. There are various reasons why she could be having seizures, and a neurologist who specializes in children is the best course of action you could do at this point.

Based on what I can find, adderall can have an effect on someone with a prior seizure disorder, but it is very rare that it would create the disorder. In every case that I could find information about the two, it's not listed as a side effect but as something that the doctor should be notified of before starting the medicine. Instead of causing the seizures it may be that it brought out a prior condition in your sister that may have stayed dormant until she was older. But, it isn't unheard of.

"There is some clinical evidence that stimulants may lower the convulsive threshold in patients with prior history of seizure, in patients with prior EEG abnormalities in absence of seizures, and very rarely, in patients without a history of seizures and no prior EEG evidence of seizures. In the presence of seizures, the drug should be discontinued." What form of adderall and the dosage she is taking would be a factor as well. For example Adderall vs. Adderall XR, 50mg vs. 150mg, daily vs. 2 or 3 times a day. All of this should be considered.

It may very well be the medication that caused it. But I would say that the absolute best course of action would be to contact a neurologist that deals with children. They would be the ones who could properly test and diagnose what caused the seizure disorder. They also should be able to tell you whether or not the adderall is safe to continue taking or if there is something else that could be a better substitute. Adderall is not the only drug out there that can be used for ADD/ADHD. It is just the most common one to use. And when it comes to stopping the adderall doses, you should be working with a doctor to ween your sister off of it instead of flat dropping it. Speaking from experience, it can create problems.

EDIT:
relandlukesmom: If it causes a decrease in appetite and irritation of the skin, then you can't say it has no side effects. The correct statement would be that it showed almost no side effects outside of appetite and skin irritation in your kids. And I'm glad you found something that worked. As someone else pointed out, finding the right medication is important. It definitely changed my life as a kid, including less visits to the principal's office and better grades thanks to the increased focus and decreased hyperness.

Directly from safety information on Daytrana's site: "In clinical studies, side effects were generally mild to moderate. The most common side effects reported with Daytrana were decreased appetite, sleeplessness, sadness/crying, twitching, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, tics, and affect lability (mood swings). Aggression, new abnormal thoughts/behaviors, mania, and growth suppression have been associated with use of drugs of this type. Tell your doctor if the child has blurred vision while using Daytrana." And just like other ADD/ADHD medications, a prior history of seizures or abnormal EEGs should be reported to the doctor prior to starting the medication. The skin irritation is likely due to the patch and less likely to the medication in the patch. It's a common side effect of any patch medication out there from Daytrana to Nicotene patches.

This is why I suggested going to a doctor. They are the ones best equipped to answer this question for you.

You need to get her re-examined on the dosage. Yes, adderall and other stimulants will effects your central nervous system. It depends on the person and dosage that was given to her. There's a more mild drug called, "Progavil" that thee starting to prescribe to people with adhd,add, and people with MS-such as myself. You did the right thing by taking her off, but i would get her quickly evaluated for other reasons why shes having these seizures.