Paris Hilton and a number of hot Hollywood actresses are reportedly using Adderall, the attention-deficit disorder (ADD) medication. In Paris’ case, she says she takes it for ADD, which she has suffered from since she was 12. But the drug may have an added attraction: Adderall, a stimulant, was first marketed in the 1960s and 1970s as a diet pill because it decreases appetite and ramps up metabolism. “Unfortunately, this drug is all too easy to get,” says Scott Isaacs, MD, an endocrinologist and obesity specialist at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. “Anyone can walk into an unscrupulous doctor’s office claiming she has ADD symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating and forgetfulness, and walk out with a prescription.”
Verdict: Don’t do it.
You shouldn’t be taking this drug unless you’re under a doctor’s supervision, Dr. Isaacs says. Side effects include potentially dangerous increased blood pressure and heart rate. It’s also been linked to problems such as hearing voices and maniacal behavior. If you’re seriously overweight or obese, talk to your doctor about legitimate weight-loss drugs like Alli or phentermine.
