What Kind of Drug Is It?

Adderall and Adderall XR are amphetamines (pronounced am-FETT-uh-meens), which are drugs that increase mental alertness. Adderall is manufactured by Shire Pharmaceuticals Group, a drug company headquartered in the United Kingdom with offices throughout the UK, the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. Amphetamines are stimulants, or substances that increase the activity of a living organism or one of its parts.

In the 2003 edition of their book Drugs 101: An Overview for Teens, Margaret O. Hyde and John F. Setaro defined stimulants as "drugs used to increase alertness, relieve fatigue, [and make users] feel stronger and more decisive."

Adderall tablets are blue or orange, depending on the dosage, and are imprinted with the letters "AD." Adderall extended–release capsules are also blue or orange, depending on the dosage, and are imprinted with the name "Adderall XR." One side of each capsule is transparent...