In rare cases, Adderall can cause more severe side effects that require immediate medical attention. It’s important to know what these side effects are so that you can work with your doctor to manage them effectively. Some people may experience mild effects, while others could face more severe reactions. Like any medication, Adderall has side effects that vary depending on the individual.
Medications approved to treat ADHD include stimulants, like Adderall and Ritalin, and non-stimulants, like Strattera and Intuniv. If you miss a dose, ask your health care provider what to do. Always check with your health care provider.
What are the positive effects of Adderall?
If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Adderall, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms.
While it may be prescribed for children as young as 3 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply. Be sure to read this information carefully each time. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop. Stimulants can be addictive, and it’s possible to become dependent on them if your dosage isn’t monitored by a doctor. Talk with a doctor if you’re experiencing any side effects from Adderall. In people with narcolepsy, Adderall may help prevent daytime sleepiness.
Adderall can raise your blood pressure or heart rate. Exposure to the amount of amphetamine in Adderall can be higher for women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). Expect to see a heart doctor (cardiologist) first. A 2023 study found a link between long-term use of ADHD medicines (including Adderall) and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, though the risk was quite small. But if you get other symptoms, such as pain when you pee, you should tell your doctor right away. Some Adderall side effects, such as dry mouth, don’t need medical treatment.
How do the side effects of Adderall compare with those of Adderall XR?
In fact, some research suggests that treating ADHD may reduce a person’s risk for substance use disorder. Stimulants also carry a risk of addiction. Boosting these neurotransmitters helps manage ADHD symptoms. Stimulants increase brain levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which are linked to focus and attention. Stimulants can increase a person’s energy, alertness, and attention and are available in short-acting and extended-release formulas. Stimulants are the oldest and most common type of medication used to treat ADHD.
- If a side effect continues during treatment, talk with your doctor.
- Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.
- Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines.
- Get the in-person or virtual care you need.
- Adderall is a stimulant used for treating ADHD.
- It’s important to know what these side effects are so that you can work with your doctor to manage them effectively.
If your doctor sees a significant growth delay, they may stop the drug and recommend a different medication for your child. They also weighed an average of 16.46 pounds (7.47 kilograms) more than those who didn’t take stimulant medications in childhood. You’ll need to get your heart rate and blood pressure checked at follow-up doctor visits.
Does interact with other drugs you are taking? This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with amphetamine/dextroamphetamine. In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking amphetamine/dextroamphetamine.
Allergic
If they persist, it’s essential to consult a doctor to adjust your dosage or explore alternative treatments. It’s important to take Adderall exactly as prescribed by a doctor to minimize risks. Understanding these side effects is critical for anyone using this medication or considering it as part of their treatment plan.
Are ADHD Medications the Same for Adults and Children?
Antidepressants are also non-stimulants. Both drugs are alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, which act on norepinephrine in the brain. Clonidine and guanfacine have been used for years to treat health conditions like high blood pressure. Strattera (atomoxetine) is the oldest non-stimulant medication that’s specifically approved for ADHD. However, that risk is low when taken as prescribed for the treatment of ADHD.
How does Adderall affect digestion?
Ten milligrams of Adderall XR is a typical dose for children between the ages of 6 and 17, according to the drug’s manufacturer. Its main ingredients are a mix of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. There aren’t any medications to treat Adderall withdrawal, though you may be given an antidepressant if your depression is long-lasting. The risk was twice as high for patients on Adderall as it was for patients on Ritalin, another stimulant. This is a particular problem if you have high blood pressure or an abnormal heart rhythm such as atrial fibrillation.
Mild side effects can occur with Adderall treatment. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking Adderall without consulting your doctor first. They can discuss ways to manage side effects and alternative treatment options. If you have problems with side Adderall side effects effects from Adderall, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Adderall Side Effects FAQs
These chemicals play a role in attention, alertness, and wakefulness. Common side effects include decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, or nervousness. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Time to maximum concentration (Tmax) of amphetamine is decreased compared to when administered alone. In cases of propoxyphene overdosage, amphetamine CNS stimulation is potentiated and fatal convulsions can occur. Urinary excretion of amphetamines is increased, and efficacy is reduced, by acidifying agents used in methenamine therapy.
More common side effects of Adderall
- Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
- Stimulants can be addictive, and it’s possible to become dependent on them if your dosage isn’t monitored by a doctor.
- Do not take this medication close to bedtime.
- The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug.
Some people do better on one drug than another. There are simple things you can do to make taking these medications less of a problem. Your doctor likely needs to make changes with your medication.
The erection usually resolves when the drug is stopped. Blood pressure and heart rate may increase, and patients may experience palpitations of the heart. Do not use amphetamines such as Adderall during pregnancy.
Keep out of the reach of children and pets. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Contact your care team right away if you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours or if it becomes painful. Children should have height and weight checked often while taking this medication. Talk to your care team if appetite loss persists. Loss of appetite is common when starting this medication.
What should I tell my health care provider before using amphetamine/dextroamphetamine?
There’s currently no treatment for an Adderall withdrawal. Misusing or overusing Adderall and then stopping suddenly can cause symptoms of withdrawal. If you’re sensitive or allergic to other stimulant medicines, you should not take Adderall.
Before taking Adderall, discuss your health history with your doctor. If a side effect continues during treatment, talk with your doctor. This is because certain side effects can continue for as long as you take the drug, and Adderall is typically a long-term treatment for ADHD or narcolepsy. Specifically, it may cause growth delays in children who take the drug long term.