Author: Alex Thompson

Adderall Side Effects: Your Risks & Effects of Long-Term Use

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Before prescribing amphetamines, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Use of Adderall with other drugs, such as antidepressants or illegal drugs such as MDMA, can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Some studies show that Adderall can have greater side effects during the first 14 days of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Women might have a stronger craving for Adderall and feel more euphoric (happy and excited) than usual during this time. Experts think that the increased presence of estrogen during these 14 days might be enhancing the effects. Estrogen can trigger the release of dopamine in the brain too. 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.

The Effects of Adderall Use: Short-Term, Long-Term, Side Effects, and Treatment

The problem is that Adderall overstimulates a brain that already has normal levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. You might feel jittery, lose your appetite, and experience greater insomnia. Decades of research have found no major negative health effects from taking them for a long time.

Adderall Effects on the Brain

Loss of appetite, stomachache, dizziness and nervousness are the most common side effects of immediate-release Adderall. Research indicates that the overall incidence of side effects is low and similar to that of other stimulants. ADHD is becoming increasingly recognised, with more people – 2–5% of adults and 5–10% of children – being diagnosed. In Australia stimulants are highly regulated and mainly prescribed by specialists (paediatricians or psychiatrists), though this differs from state to state. As case loads grow for this lifelong diagnosis, there just aren’t enough specialists to fit everyone in.

Tips to Manage Adderall Side Effects

  1. For lots of people, the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks.
  2. Before starting Adderall XR, your doctor will discuss your medical history and conduct a physical exam.
  3. If you’ve been taking Adderall without a prescription, it’s even more important to get medical support, especially if you’re becoming dependent on the drug.
  4. When taken as prescribed, Adderall is generally considered safe.
  5. Common side effects of Adderall XR, the extended-release version of the drug, include those reported for Adderall.
  6. Adderall can cause negative side effects, some of which can be serious.

Regular Adderall (also known as Adderall IR — short for “immediate release”) has to be taken every 4-6 hours, which could mean taking the pill two or three times a day. Adderall can be habit-forming because it makes you feel euphoric, thanks to the increase in dopamine. You’ll notice this feeling more if you’re taking the drug and you don’t have ADHD or narcolepsy.

For an adult, a typical dose of Adderall XR is 20 milligrams, given once per day. Talk to your doctor honestly about your past or current drug abuse. If you’re an adult, most of the long-term worry about ADHD meds has to do with how they affect other conditions you have. If you become pregnant or want to become pregnant, let your healthcare provider know right away. Adderall isn’t considered safe for use during pregnancy. Talking to a therapist about changes in mood can help, especially if Adderall otherwise helps improve ADHD or other symptoms you experience.

How to Weigh the Risks

Rare but severe side effects of Adderall can include emotional instability, psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular events. Its main ingredients are a mix of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. While the drug can help you remain more focused and alert as well as control impulsive behavior, it does have some side effects.

Adderall is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. The effects can be positive when taken as intended but dangerous if you use it without medical supervision. ADHD drugs may be tied to some mental health issues, but it’s rare. For instance, some people have reported behavior problems like aggression and hostility. Uncontrollable anxiety, panic or aggression with rapid breathing, an elevated heart rate and uncontrollable shaking can be signs of Adderall overdose.

ADHD medication can be taken for months, years, or even a lifetime. You’re more likely to experience side effects when you take Adderall at higher doses, or if you aren’t taking Adderall to treat a specific condition. When a doctor monitors your Adderall use, they can help keep track of these effects and adjust your dose to reduce or eliminate them. Using Adderall for anything other than its intended purpose, especially at higher doses than prescribed by a doctor, can lead to dependency and addiction. Educate patients and their families about these risks, proper storage of the drug, and proper disposal of any unused drug.

Adderall (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) is a prescription stimulant used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But while medications like Adderall can be helpful for those who need them, they are often misused in ways other than how they are prescribed, due to their stimulant effects. Adderall is a stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

When the dose was adjusted for body mass, the amount of amphetamine processed for men and women was the same. For the other amphetamine in Adderall, there was no difference by sex. If you don’t have a history of substance abuse, it’s unlikely you’ll go down that road.

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Adderall can help boost alertness, wakefulness, and concentration. By increasing the production of dopamine in the brain, the drug can also cause feelings of euphoria and improved mood. Weight loss in adults can be a temporary side effect of Adderall, and appetite should increase as your body adjusts to the medication. This class of drugs helps boost mood, alertness, attention, and energy by raising the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Yes, headaches can be a common side effect of Adderall, according to the manufacturer. If you take a generic version of Adderall, the two drug names (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) will be on your medicine bottle.