Anxiety Can Be A Side Effect Of Taking Adderall
The ADAA notes that research shows that stimulant drugs like Adderall and non-stimulant medications can help people with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate, pay attention, and control their impulsiveness.
However, because medications affect people differently, it is possible that a person taking Adderall can feel increased anxiety when they take the drug to treat their ADHD symptoms. If a person feels more anxiety, this could increase their forgetfulness or hurt their ability to focus. It could also impair their willingness to try new things, as clinical psychologist Ari Tuckman tells PsychCentral.
People who are anxious are less likely to try new things for fear of them not working outthis includes new strategies to help them get on top of their ADHD, Tuckman said.
As WebMD explains, ADHD drugs speed up the brain and alter how its nerve cells send messages to each other. As a result, mood disturbances can happen, including anxiety. This is especially the case if a person takes Adderall in high doses.
This means some Adderall users may feel more stress or fatigue or worry about things more. People who are anxious also feel uptight or on edge and have trouble falling or staying asleep. Other symptoms of anxiety include irritability, muscle tension, and struggling to control feelings of worry.
Interrelationships Between Anxiety And Adhd
Anxiety disorders are often co-morbid with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders . The challenges that patients with ADHD face performing every day tasks can lead to heightened anxiety. This anxiety may stem from an inability to concentrate on demanding tasks. Children with ADHD may also develop social anxiety because it may be difficult to learn social cues and appropriate social behavior if a patient is constantly distracted or inattentive.
In anxiety disorders that are secondary to ADHD, Vyvanse often relieves anxiety by allowing patients to control their ADHD and function better.
Does Vyvanse Cause Anger Or Other Emotional Side Effects
Yes, Vyvanse can cause emotional side effects, including anger.
Certain emotional side effects were reported by people taking Vyvanse in studies, including:
- anger
- mood changes
* To learn more about this side effect, see the Side effects explained section below.
If youre concerned about emotional side effects with Vyvanse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss how to treat these side effects.
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What Are The Drug Interactions Of Adhd Drugs
Absorption and excretion of amphetamines — and therefore blood levels — are affected by pH. Fruit juices, vitamin C, and some drugs acidify the stomach, decreasing absorption. Alkalinizing agents, such as antacids, increase amphetamine absorption.
- Amphetamines should not be used along with tricyclic antidepressants or decongestants.
A 14-day clearing period is required between the use of a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor and amphetamine. Otherwise, severe hypertension may occur.
Methylphenidate should not be used within 14 days of using an MAOI. Otherwise, a hypertensive crisis might occur. Because it raises blood pressure and heart rate, methylphenidate should be used with caution with other drugs that can affect blood pressure and heart rate. Dosage adjustment may be necessary for:
- Phenytoin
- Antidepressants
Atomoxetine should not be used within 14 days of an MAOI, otherwise severe, possibly fatal reactions could occur. Increases in heart rate and blood pressure may occur if atomoxetine is administered with other medications that can increase heart rate or blood pressure.
The sedative effect of alcohol, barbiturates, or other drugs may be increased by guanfacine.
Bupropion should not be used within 14 days of an MAOI. Medications that can interact with bupropion include:
- Tricyclic and SSRI antidepressants
- Atomoxetine
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Taking Adderall For Adhd When You Have Anxiety
Adderall is a popular medication doctors prescribe to treat people with ADHD and narcolepsy. The stimulant, a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, is taken to elevate or enhance ones mood. The drugs chemical makeup is akin to methamphetamine and MDMA, more commonly known as ecstasy.
When people with ADHD take Adderall in prescribed therapeutic doses, they do so to improve their attention span and ability to concentrate for prolonged periods. People with narcolepsy take it to help them stay awake. Adderall doses can range between 5 mg and 30 mg and be taken once or twice a day.
Because of these effects, Adderall has attracted recreational users, particularly those in high school or college. They abuse the drug to give them more staying power to boost their sports or academic performances.
These reasons are why some refer to the addictive, habit-forming medication as a smart drug or study drug. Adderall also has appealed to people with eating disorders, who use it to curb their appetites.
Side effects of Adderall include elevated blood pressure, headache, appetite loss, weight loss, stomach pain, nervousness, agitation, dry mouth, diarrhea, nausea, and insomnia, among others.
Can Ritalin Help With Anxiety
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety are different conditions, but they come as a package deal people have both conditions at the same time. For example, about half of adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. If youre one of them, the proper treatment can improve your ADHD symptoms and ease your anxious feelings as well.
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Serious Side Effects Of Vyvanse
All medications that alter the central nervous system can produce serious and even life-threatening side effects. Many severe side effects of Vyvanse are related to its effects on speeding up the brain and the nervous system.
The most serious side effects of Vyvanse include:
- Psychiatric problems such as anxiety, aggression, or mania
- Neurological disorders such as tics, seizures, or serotonin syndrome
- Heart problems such as rapid heartbeat, heart attack, and sudden death in people with heart problems
- Circulation problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, peripheral blood vessel damage, skin color changes, and Raynauds phenomenon
- Severe allergic reactions
- Dependence, drug abuse, and withdrawal symptoms if discontinued abruptly
Vyvanse And The Circulatory And Respiratory Systems
One of the more common cardiovascular system side effects is a slightly faster heart rate. You may also have a substantial elevation in heart rate or blood pressure, but this is less common. It can also cause cardiac arrhythmias.
Vyvanse can also cause problems with circulation. You may have circulation problems if your fingers and toes feel cold or numb, or if your skin turns blue or red. If that happens, tell your doctor.
Rarely, Vyvanse can cause shortness of breath.
Vyvanse can affect your digestive system. Some of the more common digestive system problems include:
- dry mouth
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Antidepressants To Be Avoided With Vyvanse
Having said all of the above, some SSRIs present a greater risk of Vyvanse serotonin syndrome, including:
- Prozac
- Paxil
Prozac and Paxil pose a greater risk since the metabolizing enzyme CYP2D6, which is responsible for metabolizing amphetamines such as Vyvanse, is known to inhibit them.
Theoretically, inhibition of CYP2D6 raises the risk of elevated levels of Vyvanse in the body, raising the risk of side effects, such as serotonin syndrome.
Indeed, explicitly, the prescription information for Vyvanse warns against the use of drugs believed to inhibit CYP2D6.
It is understood that amphetamines and amphetamine derivatives are metabolized to some degree by cytochrome P450 2D6 and exhibit mild CYP2D6 metabolism inhibition. There is a potential for pharmacokinetic activity when CYP2D6 inhibitors are co-administered, which may increase the risk of increased exposure to the active metabolite of VYVANSE .
Find an alternative non-serotonergic drug or an alternative drug that does not inhibit CYP2D6 in these cases.
If you and your doctor are considering adding an SSRI to your dosage of Vyvanse, it would be wise to examine medications that are not potent CYP2D6 inhibitors.
Sadly, it is assumed that all SSRIs inhibit CYP2D6 to at least a minor degree. The only two considered effective inhibitors, however, are Prozac and Paxil.
It is assumed that CYP2D6 is inhibited to a small degree by the following:
- Viibrydskaya
Is Vyvanse Better Than Adderall
Adderall and Vyvanse are both schedule II amphetamine-based central nervous system stimulant medications used to treat ADHD. Adderall comes in both immediate- and extended-release form Vyvanse is available as an extended-release medication only. The immediate-release version of Adderall has a duration of action of 4 to 6 hours the extended-release version lasts approximately 12 hours. The duration of effects for Vyvanse is 10 to 14 hours.
Vyvanse is a prodrug an inert substance that is metabolized in the body to become active which means its side effects are considered less harsh. Both drugs are classified by the FDA as Schedule II stimulants because they can be abused or lead to dependence, however Vyvanse is considered to carry a lower risk since it takes longer to metabolize in the system than does Adderall.
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What Are The More Common Side Effects Of Vyvanse
Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during their Vyvanse treatment.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Vyvanse in studies. These side effects can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat.
More common side effects in people taking Vyvanse for ADHD include:
- sleep problems*
- weight loss
* To learn more about this side effect, see the Side effects explained section below.
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And dont stop taking Vyvanse unless your doctor recommends it.
Vyvanse may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Vyvanse prescribing information for details.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If youd like to notify the FDA about a side effect youve had with Vyvanse, visit MedWatch.
Although its uncommon, taking Vyvanse may cause serious side effects in some people.
Serious side effects that have been reported with Vyvanse include:
- blood flow problems in your fingers and toes, including Raynauds phenomenon
Does Vyvanse Worsen Depression
Since Vyvanse is a stimulant, when it starts to wear off, a person can feel depressed or fatigued. This is known as the crash at Vyvanse. As the medication starts to leave their system, a person who takes Vyvanse in the morning can experience a midday crash. The accident can make the symptoms of an individual difficult to handle.
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Type Of Stimulant Medication & Dosage
A stimulant medication that is being used at too high of a dose or is not the ideal stimulant medication for you is more likely to cause these physical symptoms and psychological symptoms of anxiety. One option would be for the person to decrease their dose of Vyvanse and assess their anxiety with this change.
Another option would be to try a different type of stimulant medication. Vyvanse is similar to Adderall which is a amphetamine. Other stimulant medications are methylphenidates and include Ritalin and Concerta.
Things To Consider When Treating Adhd Anxiety
People with ADHD who have anxiety may know they might require medication for one or both conditions. However, this could present a health dilemma for them. Both conditions are usually treated with medicines whose effects are opposite each other.
Because of this, they may wonder if they can safely take stimulant drugs to treat their ADHD without affecting their anxiety or if treating their anxiety with an antidepressant or benzodiazepine, a central nervous system depressant, could affect treatment for their ADHD.
The best thing to do is to speak with a doctor or another medical professional for health advice that is specific to your situation. It is also important that you inform your doctor of any other drugs you are taking that could affect your treatment for ADHD or an anxiety disorder.
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Managing Anxiety Caused By Adderall
Like any drug, the effects of Adderall are not permanent. People must continue to use the drug if they want to continue experiencing increased energy, attentiveness, and self-confidence.
When someone develops anxiety as a side effect due to using Adderall, they should contact their doctor to discuss how to manage their anxiety. Anti-anxiety medications, such as Xanax and Valium, can help but are highly addictive as well. Less addictive medications like sertraline and fluoxetine are more likely to be prescribed instead. These are long-term medications with no addictive potential and strong evidence for their positive effects on anxiety. There are also natural supplements for anxiety that can help.
If use leads to anxiety, stopping the use of the drug could end the anxious feelings. However, if a dependence formed, the person could experience withdrawal symptoms, including even more anxiety due to the low amount of feel-good chemicals in the brain.
Will My Doctor Prescribe Me Vyvanse Or Adderall
The decision whether to prescribed Adderall or Vyvanse is made by a physician based on the physicians knowledge of the patient, the side effect profile of the drug, and the specific symptoms the physician is attempting to address. Side effect profiles of drugs are often considered by physicians before making a choice on which medications are going to be prescribed to a patient. The side effect profiles of both Adderall and Vyvanse include the following:
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or stomach cramps, and/or diarrhea
- Dizziness, dry mouth, and/or headache
- A loss of appetite and weight loss
- Difficulties with sleep
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Misuse And Dependence Risk
boxed warning for the risk of misuse and dependence. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration . It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Treatment with Vyvanse may lead to physical dependence or misuse. With dependence, your body needs a drug to feel normal. Misuse, on the other hand, means taking a drug in a way other than how your doctor prescribes. This includes taking a medication for non-medical purposes.
Misuse can lead to addiction. Some people may also develop addiction when taking Vyvanse as prescribed. With addiction, its difficult to stop taking a drug even though it may be causing harm.
Symptoms of Vyvanse misuse can include:
- aggressive or hostile behavior
- thoughts of harming yourself or others
What might help
Before prescribing Vyvanse, your doctor will review your medical history. Theyll look for any risk factors for misuse or dependence. Theyll also monitor you for any symptoms of misuse or dependence during your treatment.
Because Vyvanse can cause dependence, its important that you dont stop taking the drug unless your doctor tells you to. If you need to stop your treatment, your doctor will lower your dose over time. This can help prevent withdrawal symptoms .
If you have questions about stopping your Vyvanse treatment or about your risk for misuse or dependence, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.