Adderall Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term (2024)

Generic name: amphetamine / dextroamphetamine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 21, 2024.

Note: This document contains side effect information about amphetamine / dextroamphetamine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Adderall.

Applies to amphetamine / dextroamphetamine: oral capsule extended release, oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Adderall

Along with its needed effects, amphetamine/dextroamphetamine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking amphetamine / dextroamphetamine:

More common

• Bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• frequent urge to urinate
• lower back or side pain

Less common

• Chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• hoarseness
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches and pains
• nausea
• runny nose
• shivering
• sore throat
• sweating
• trouble sleeping
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Incidence not known

• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
• confusion
• dark urine
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty with speaking
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• double vision
• faintness
• inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
• inability to speak
• itching, skin rash
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
• loss of bladder control
• muscle cramps or stiffness
• muscle spasm or jerking of the arms and legs
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• seizures
• slow speech
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• sudden loss of consciousness
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• uncontrolled repeated movements (tics)
• uncontrolled vocal outbursts
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking amphetamine / dextroamphetamine:

Symptoms of overdose

• Agitation
• blurred vision
• change in consciousness
• chest pain or discomfort
• confusion
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• fever
• headache
• inability to speak
• loss of consciousness
• muscle cramps, spasms, pain, stiffness, or twitching
• nausea
• nervousness
• overactive reflexes
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pale, clammy skin,
• palpitations
• pounding in the ears
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• seizures
• shivering
• slow or fast heartbeat
• slurred speech
• sweating
• talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
• temporary blindness
• thirst
• trembling or shaking
• trouble breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe

Other side effects of Adderall

Some side effects of amphetamine / dextroamphetamine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Anxiety
• dry mouth
• lack or loss of strength
• stomach pain
• weight loss

Incidence not known

• Constipation
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• false or unusual sense of well-being
• inability to have or keep an erection
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• twitching, twisting, uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to amphetamine / dextroamphetamine: oral capsule extended release, oral tablet.

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Appetite loss (up to 36%), weight loss (up to 10%)

Frequency not reported: Anorexia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Dry mouth (up to 35%), abdominal pain (up to 14%)

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia

Frequency not reported: Unpleasant taste, constipation, other GI disturbances^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Transient blood pressure elevations (up to 35%)

Common (1% to 10%): Tachycardia, palpitation

Frequency not reported: Cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, Raynaud's phenomenon^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (up to 27%), nervousness (up to 13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Emotional lability, agitation, anxiety

Frequency not reported: Psychotic episodes, irritability, euphoria, dysphoria, restlessness, depression, aggression, anger, logorrhea, dermatillomania^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 26%)

Common (1% to 10%): Somnolence, dizziness, twitching, speech disorder (e.g., stuttering, excessive speech)

Frequency not reported: Overstimulation, paresthesia/formication, dyskinesia, tremor, exacerbation of motor/phonic tics and Tourette's syndrome^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Photosensitivity reaction, sweating

Frequency not reported: Urticaria, rash, alopecia, serious skin rashes (e.g., Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis)^[Ref]

Endocrine

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased libido, dysmenorrhea, impotence

Frequency not reported: Frequent or prolonged erections^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Fever, infection, accidental injury, asthenia/fatigue, tooth disorder (e.g., teeth clenching, tooth infection)

Frequency not reported: Sudden death, bruxism^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., angioedema, anaphylaxis)^[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, mydriasis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Postmarketing reports: Rhabdomyolysis^[Ref]

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circ*mstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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