Belviq vs. Adderall

• Are Belviq and Adderall the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Belviq?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Adderall?
• What Is Belviq?
• What Is Adderall?
• What Drugs Interact with Belviq?
• What Drugs Interact with Adderall?
• How Should Belviq Be Taken?
• How Should Adderall Be Taken?

Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride) and Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts) are used for weight loss.

Belviq is indicated for the treatment of chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Belviq is also approved for use by adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) and who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).

Adderall may be used off-label for weight loss, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it for this indication.

Adderall is used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

Belviq and Adderall belong to different drug classes. Belviq is a serotonin 2C receptor agonist and Adderall is an amphetamine.

Side effects of Belviq and Adderall that are similar include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth or unpleasant taste in the mouth, constipation, or diarrhea.

Side effects of Belviq that are different from Adderall include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), mental problems, slow heartbeat, drowsiness, feeling tired, fatigue, cough, back pain, painful erections, upper respiratory tract infection, runny or stuffy nose, urinary tract infection, muscle pain, sore throat, or rash.

Side effects of Adderall that are different from Belviq include nervousness, restlessness, excitability, irritability, agitation, fear, anxiety, agitation, tremor, weakness, blurred vision, sleep problems (insomnia), stomach pain, fever, hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss, loss of interest in sex, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm, increase blood pressure, increased heart rate, and heart palpitations.

Common side effects of Belviq include:

• low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),
• mental problems,
• slow heartbeat,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• feeling tired,
• fatigue,
• nausea,
• dry mouth,
• cough,
• back pain,
• constipation,
• painful erections,
• diarrhea,
• vomiting,
• upper respiratory tract infection,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• urinary tract infection,
• muscle pain,
• sore throat, or
• rash.

Common side effects of Adderall include:

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• talking more than usual, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
• tremors, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches); or
• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision;
• feeling restless, irritable, or agitated,
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;
• diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;
• fever;
• hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss; or
• loss of interest in sex, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride) is a serotonin 2C receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Belviq is also approved for use by adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) and who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).

Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine. It is used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Adderall may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

Adderall should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

Adderall is also used in the treatment of a sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

Adderall is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep Adderall in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Adderall may harm others, and is against the law.

Belviq may interact with antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), triptans, bupropion, dextromethorphan, or St. John's Wort. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you or your child take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Adderall and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines will need to be adjusted while taking Adderall.

Your doctor will decide whether Adderall can be taken with other medicines.

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child take:

• anti-depression medicines including MAOIs
• blood pressure medicines
• seizure medicines
• blood thinner medicines
• cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants
• stomach acid medicines

Know the medicines that you or your child take. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start any new medicine while taking Adderall without talking to your doctor first.

Belviq is taken orally. The recommended dosage of Belviq is one 10mg tablets taken twice per day. Belviq should be discontinued if 5% weight loss is not achieved by week 12 of therapy.

• Take Adderall exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.
• Adderall tablets are usually taken two to three times a day. The first dose is usually taken when you first wake in the morning. One or two more doses may be taken during the day, 4 to 6 hours apart.
• Adderall can be taken with or without food.
• From time to time, your doctor may stop Adderall treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
• Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking Adderall. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Adderall. Adderall treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
• If you or your child take too much Adderall or overdoses, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.