The doctors and healthcare providers prescribe Adderall and generic Adderall in versions of the drug to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy symptoms. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder marked by extreme daytime drowsiness without sleeping. In a study over the years, the generics have been deemed to be as safe and effective as brand-name drugs.

However, generic Adderall drugs are sometimes perceived by patients and even some doctors and healthcare providers as being less effective than the brand-name products they aim to duplicate.

Among the common stimulants and their brand names ():

Amphetamine salts (Adderall)
Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat)
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, Methylin)