In the short term, Adderall can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, and cause you to breathe harder. If you take too much of it, you could put your heart and your health at risk.
Adderall Side Effects
If you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you may get relief from the prescription drug Adderall. It can improve focus, decrease restlessness, and help control impulsive behavior (including the hard-to-stop habit of interrupting people). But, like other medications, it comes with possible side effects.
Some Adderall side effects, like dry mouth, don’t need medical treatment. You should tell your doctor right away about others, such as pain when you pee.
Whether Adderall side effects are annoying or alarming to you, be sure you tell your doctor, who can help you find ways to feel better while the medication does its job.
Adderall is the trade name for a combination of two drugs: dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. If you take a generic version of Adderall, those two drug names will be on your medicine bottle.
The generic type costs less, but that’s about the only difference you’ll notice. Generic dextroamphetamine/amphetamine has the same risk of side effects as brand-name Adderall. It provides the same benefits, too.
Common Side Effects
Many common side effects will get better or go away as your body gets used to the medicine. They might include:
- Anxiety
- Dry mouth
- Weakness
- Stomachache
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Less interest in sex
- Unusual sense of well-being
- Difficulty keeping an erection
- Twitching
If you have any of these side effects, ask your doctor how long they are likely to last, as well as what to do if they don’t get better.
Rare Side Effects
Rarely, Adderall causes more serious side effects. Tell your doctor at once if you have any of these:
- A major increase in your blood pressure
- Serious anxiety
- Panic attack
- Big mood swings
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Intense muscle pain or weakness
- An erection that hurts or lasts too long
- Changes of feeling or color in your fingertips or toes
Adderall and Your Heart
In the short term, Adderall can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, and cause you to breathe harder. If you take too much of it, you could put your heart and your health at risk.
To be on the safe side, doctors usually don’t prescribe Adderall to people with:
- Serious heart problems
- High blood pressure that is not controlled with medicine
But more research is needed. One large study found no link between ADHD medications — including stimulants like Adderall — and a higher risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Even without a perfect heart, you may still be able to take Adderall for ADHD. Expect to see a heart doctor (cardiologist) first. You’ll need to get your heart rate and blood pressure checked at follow-up doctor visits.
Tips to Manage Side Effects
You can take steps to reduce some side effects of Adderall. Ask your doctor what might work for you. Some things you can try:
Have good sleep habits. Many people with ADHD have insomnia, or trouble sleeping. Stimulant medicines like Adderall can add to the problem. To get better sleep, limit caffeine and screen time (phone, TV, or video games) close to bedtime.
Don’t take Adderall after 5 p.m. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember — up to a point. The later you take this drug, the more likely it is to keep you awake at night. Try not to take any Adderall after 5 p.m. If you use an extended-release (XR) version, try not to take it after 2 p.m.
Limit or avoid alcohol. Alcohol affects the way your body processes Adderall. That could result in unusual side effects, including sleepiness.
Ask your doctor if you should switch antidepressants. A few antidepressants can increase Adderall’s side effects. These drugs include:
Reduce dry mouth. You can’t stop Adderall from causing dry mouth, but you can take steps to put moisture back in.
- Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candies, which get saliva flowing.
- Avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol.
- Sip water throughout the day.
- Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes. (Your pharmacist can point you in the right direction.)
- Try a “dry mouth” mouthwash.
- Avoid antihistamines, which can contribute to dry mouth.
- Put a humidifier in your bedroom.
Show Sources
National Alliance on Mental Illness: “Amphetamine (Adderall).”
Mayo Clinic: “Dextroamphetamine And Amphetamine (Oral Route),” “Dry mouth treatment: Tips for controlling dry mouth.”
National Institute on Drug Abuse: “Prescription Stimulants.”
JAMA: “ADHD Medications and Risk of Serious Cardiovascular Events in Young and Middle-aged Adults.”
Pediatrics Child Health: “Adderall and cardiovascular risk: A therapeutic dilemma.”
FDA: “Generic Drugs: Questions & Answers.”
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD): “ADHD and Sleep Disorders.”
Adderall Side Effects in Men
Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more.
Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Adderall is a medication that can be prescribed to treat symptoms of ADHD in both children and adults. It can be helpful and effective, but it may also cause side effects. Adderall side effects in men may include erectile dysfunction and decreased libido.
This article discusses what Adderall is, some of the side effects that you might experience, and strategies that can help you cope with some of these side effects.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a stimulant medication used to treat ADHD. However, it can have side effects, including erectile dysfunction in some people.
Adderall acts on the central nervous system and increases the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. This results in increased attention and focus and a reduction in hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
Adderall contains dextroamphetamine and amphetamine and is available in a short-acting formula, which lasts approximately four hours, and in an extended-release formula (Adderall XR), which lasts between 10 to 12 hours. It was approved to treat ADHD in 1996 by the FDA and can be prescribed to people who are 6 years and older.
Recap
Adderall is a type of stimulant medication that is often used to treat ADHD. It can be effective for relieving symptoms, but it can also have some side effects including erectile dysfunction.
ED and Other Side Effects of Adderall
Sexual side effects may occur in some individuals. Adderall can affect blood vessels in the body, which may affect sexual desire and performance.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a potential side effect for people who are taking Adderall. Some people report a decreased interest in sex and difficulty getting and keeping an erection. This change in sex drive or sexual performance can cause distress and embarrassment.
One of the effects of Adderall is the constriction of certain blood vessels in the body, and these changes may impact the penis. Typically, once the effects of the medication have worn away, sexual desire and performance return to what is normal for you.
While some men report that Adderall negatively affects their sex life, other people experience the opposite. They find it increases their sex drive and they do not experience ED. This varies from person to person. Stimulants like Adderall are sometimes used to treat the sexual side effects that may accompany certain antidepressant medications.
Other Side Effects
Other side effects of Adderall can include nervousness, dizziness, emotional detachment, headaches, problems with sleep, dry mouth, vision problems, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and an increase in both blood pressure and heart rate.
Recap
Erectile dysfunction and changes in sex drive and performance can occur while taking Adderall. Not everyone will experience this side effect, however. Other side effects may also occur including headaches, changes in sleep, and changes in appetite.
What to Do About Adderall Side Effects
Although you might feel shy or embarrassed, it is important to tell a healthcare provider about erectile dysfunction or other side effects that you are experiencing. Doctors understand that ED and other issues are potential side effects of Adderall and will want to help you to resolve the problem. Your doctor may suggest one of the following solutions.
Allow Time to Adjust
Some people experience ED and other side effects when they first start taking Adderall. Then, as their body adjusts to the new medication over the course of several weeks, the problems subside. Because each human body responds to medication slightly differently, it is not possible to know in advance how the medication will affect you.
Planning Ahead
Some people do not take their usual dose of Adderall if they know they are going to be having sex. Or they can wait until the medication is out of their system before having sex.
Lower Dose
Taking a lower dosage of Adderall might still be helpful in reducing ADHD symptoms while not resulting in erectile dysfunction or other side effects. You should always talk to your doctor before you adjust your medication dosage.
Change ADHD Medications
As with all medications, there is a balance between treating a condition and managing the side effects. There are two types of stimulant medication available to treat ADHD, the amphetamine family (Adderall) and methylphenidate (e.g. Ritalin). If one stimulant family causes side effects that cannot be tolerated, the prescribing physician will often suggest trying the other type.
Each group of drugs affects an individual differently. The only way to know how you will respond to a medication is through trial and error. There are also non-stimulant medication options for ADHD.
It may also not be your ADHD medication that is causing ED; other medications are also known to cause ED. These include medications used to treat conditions that frequently coexist with ADHD.
For example, SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Paxil (paroxetine), used to treat depression and anxiety, and certain antihypertensive drugs sometimes used to treat aspects of ADHD can also contribute to erectile issues.
Do Not Stop Adderall Abruptly
If you are experiencing ED and think it is due to Adderall, you might be tempted to stop taking your medication. However, it is important to discuss this with your physician first, as unpleasant physical and psychiatric symptoms can accompany stimulant withdrawal.
Make Lifestyle Changes
Consuming high levels of certain substances such as alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, and cocaine can also cause ED. Lack of exercise, sleep, and stress could be contributing factors too. This is good news because these are factors that you are in control of. By making changes to your lifestyle, you can become physically healthier and improve erectile problems.
Sometimes making lifestyle adjustments can help you cope with some of the unwanted side effects of your medications. Eating a healthy diet, getting enough physical activity, and getting plenty of rest may be helpful.
Treat ED with Medication
Erectile dysfunction can be a result of many factors, including psychological factors like stress and anxiety. If a person tried to have sex while Adderall was still in effect and experienced ED, the memory of this can cause performance anxiety in the future.
Taking Viagra (sidenafil) helps to get and maintain an erection, which helps to counteract the side effects of Adderall. You might feel that Viagra or a similar medication is for older people. However, many young people take it to help with ED.
Even at times when Adderall is not in the body, having a prescription of Viagra has a psychological advantage as well as a physical one. Knowing that you have Viagra in your medicine cabinet just in case you need it can give you a psychological boost. With time, you will feel more confident as you get to know your body and how it responds to Adderall.
Natural ED Treatments
There are some natural treatments for ED that might help. While products such as supplements and vitamins can sound like a great solution, be cautious. Natural does not automatically mean safe. These options can interact with prescription medication you are taking. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking supplements or vitamins.
Recap
If you experience ED while taking Adderall, give yourself a few weeks to adjust to your medication and find ways to plan sexual activity around your medication schedule. If the problem persists, your doctor may recommend making changes to your medication or may prescribe a medication to treat ED.
A Word From Verywell
Even if you think Adderall is the cause of ED, it is still important to tell your doctor about it. There could be other reasons for erectile issues that require treatment. Sometimes ED can be a sign of an underlying health problem, such as diabetes or heart disease, hormone problems, or a neurological disease. Or it may reflect other psychiatric issues, such as depression.
Having problems with ED can be stressful and cause anxiousness, depression, and lowered self-esteem. Remember, ED is not a reflection on your character. It just means there is a problem that needs to be solved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Adderall side effects last?
Side effects usually go away after taking Adderall for a week or two. Allow your body time to adjust to the medication, but be sure to tell your doctor if your side effects persist, if they are severe, or if you experience serious side effects such as abnormal heart rhythm, psychosis, hallucinations, allergic reaction, or seizures.
What are the emotional side effects of Adderall?
In some cases, Adderall can cause side effects such as anxiety, irritability, or changes in mood. Serious mental side effects such as depression, hallucinations, aggressive behavior, and delusional thinking can also sometimes occur. You should contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of these serious side effects.
Why does Adderall cause erectile dysfunction?
Adderall can cause a narrowing of the blood vessels in certain areas of the body. This can increase blood pressure and have other cardiovascular effects, but it can also affect blood flow to the penis, making it more difficult to experience an erection when sexually aroused.
Do other ADHD drugs cause erectile dysfunction?
Other types of ADHD medications can also cause erectile dysfunction. Antidepressants are also sometimes used to treat symptoms of ADHD, and some of these medications can cause changes in libido and sexual performance. If you experience erectile dysfunction while taking an ADHD medication, your doctor may recommend switching to a different type of medication, such as a different stimulant or a non-stimulant medication.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration. Adderall XR label.
- Bourgeois FT, Kim JM, Mandl KD. Premarket safety and efficacy studies for ADHD medications in children. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(7):e102249. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0102249
- Joseph AA, Reddy A. Excessive masturbation association with mixed amphetamine salts. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2017;27(3):291-292. doi:10.1089/cap.2016.0130
By Jacqueline Sinfield
Jacqueline Sinfield is an ADHD coach, and the author of “Untapped Brilliance, How to Reach Your Full Potential As An Adult With ADHD.”
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