Adderall Side Effects to Be Aware Of

Adderall, a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, actually can cause many side effects, and it is important to be aware of these. While Adderall can help you focus and pay attention, it can also cause side effects that can be annoying, unhealthy, or even serious.

Common Side Effects of Adderall

Because Adderall is a fairly strong stimulant drug, it will cause certain side effects no matter what. Most people will experience headaches which, with the recommendation of your doctor, can be treated with over-the-counter medications. Insomnia or “difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep” is another major effect of Adderall (NLM). This is why Adderall users must remember that the drug “should not be taken in the late afternoon or evening” so that a normal sleep schedule can be kept.

According to the NLM, some of the other common side effects of Adderall are:

• Nervousness and anxiousness
• Restlessness
• “Changes in sex drive or ability”
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Stomach cramps or pain
• “Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body”

These side effects should not be severe and some of them can be taken care of with over-the-counter medications. If you experience severe versions of these side effects that make it difficult to live your life, discuss them with your doctor.

Serious Side Effects of Adderall

Chest pain and a pounding heart are signs of a bad reaction to Adderall.

There are some side effects of Adderall which are a sign of more serious conditions caused by the drug. For example, if you notice that you are exhibiting signs of a rash, hives, difficulty swallowing, or “swelling of the eyes, face, tongue, or throat,” you may be allergic to Adderall. Talk to your doctor to discontinue your use of the drug as soon as possible.

If you experience any of these issues below, make sure to call your doctor immediately as they could be signs of serious problems.

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Numbness or weakness in extremities
• Chest pain
• Fast heartbeat
• Heavy or pounding heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Seizures
• “Excessive tiredness”
• Slurred or slow speech
• Motor tics
• Verbal tics
• Blurry vision
• Fever
• Becoming overly paranoid or suspicious
• “Believing things that are not true”
• Hallucinations
• Mania
• Aggressiveness
• Hostility

Any of these side effects could be very dangerous. In some people, Adderall causes certain reactions where the medication should be discontinued by your doctor as soon as possible. Make sure to stay aware of yourself at all times.

Other Effects of Adderall Use

Adderall can cause many physical and behavioral side effects, but even for people who begin taking the drug as part of a prescription regimen, there is a chance of abuse. Adderall users can often start to take more of the drug just to feel its effects like alertness or weight loss, and already they are starting to abuse the drug.

Adderall can also cause tolerance, where the original dosage will not cause the user to feel the same effects after a while. That user may start to take more of the drug in order to feel its effects without doctor’s orders, another form of abuse. Adderall can even cause dependence and lead to withdrawal symptoms which are, most commonly, “severe depression, anxiety, [and] extreme fatigue” (CESAR).