As overweight and obesity become more prevalent among children, increasing their risk for diabetes, doctors are turning to medications for help. One drug they're turning to is Adderall, approved for the treatment of ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder), but not for weight loss.ADHD Drug Use For Youth Obesity Raises Ethical Questions
Adderall's active ingredients include dextroamphetamine and other amphetamine salts. Amphetamines are stimulants. They increase alertness, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. They also decrease appetite, a side effect that's being capitalized upon for weight loss.
Although the practice of prescribing Adderall "off label" for weight loss is legal, it doesn't address one of the cornerstones of diabetes prevention: behavior modification. The establishment of healthy eating and exercise behaviors is vital in both preventing diabetes, and managing it once a diagnosis is made.
The FDA has a fact sheet and news page devoted to Adderall:
Adderall and Adderall XR (amphetamines) Information
