Adderall is often prescribed to individuals diagnosed with ADHD to help improve attention span, focus, and control hyperactivity and impulsivity. It is also used in the treatment of narcolepsy, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden attacks of sleep. Adderall is a prescription medication that contains amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It is commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. The medication works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.