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Adderall was originally approved by the FDA as a weight loss drug. It was first prescribed in the 1920's under the name Obetrol. The discovery it could treat ADD/ADHD came several decades later in 1996. If Adderall is so widely prescribed to children and teens with ADD/ADHD, why is it so objectionable to prescribe it for its origin intent and purpose? I agree that teens should try a change in their diet and an exercise program before resorting to weight loss pills, but there is nothing unethical about prescribing Adderall as a weight loss pill to obese teens who cannot lose weight from chaging their diet and exercise. The health risks you describe (hallucinations, heart failure) are rare- between 1999-2003 only 12 out of the many thousands of people perscribed Adderall had heart failure. Obviously if your doctor knows you have a history of high blood pressure or heart problems this is not the weight loss drug for you.

As long as other methods have been extensively tried before turning to medication, and as long as diet change and exercise are paired with medication, there is nothing unethical about prescribing Adderall as a weight loss pill to obese teens.

I am currently prescribed adderaal for adhd...it helps me focus and rejuvinate my innerself and without it i barely can focus on what is happeneing around me...If you just go and give someone a pill that it is not truelly adhd or add there could be life death situations. Adderall doesnt solve everything as people like to say but it does help you increase your work activity along with decreasing your appetite...like it was metioned adderall is an amphetamine..which will shake your serotonin level in your brain and if someone is not stable that could be a very bad mistake if it gets in the wrong hands...Amphetimines are already abused among teens no different then drugs themselves so i do not agree with letting more of these pills get out because then teens will give them to their friends just to "loose weight"...when they do not know the dangers....so i stress to anyone that yes this does help loose weight but if you let this be passed then please monitor all of the patients that are not add or adhd..