Side effects of Adderall XR

[Naturegames]

Has anyone else developed a sore throat or cough on Adderall XR? If so does regular Adderall have the same effect.

I’ve recently (about 4-5 months ago) started ADHD meds after being off for about 8 years. I suffer from EDS (excessive daytime sleepiness) in addition to ADHD of the primarily inattentive type. I find vyvanse and/or Ritalin to be helpful in terms of making me alert and functional which of course has the secondary benefit of improving my executive function issues. With adderall not only am I more alert but it also has a marked impact on my executive function and task management in addition to the wakefulness. It is unfortunately a little harder to sleep and more concerning is I seen to have developed a mild sore throat and am constantly clearing my throat all day. I hate to have to stop something that is allowing my brain to function better but this is really annoying. It’s been a few weeks and I’m not 100% sure it’s the meds though an internet search does list it as a side effect. So I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this as well and how you dealt with it?

[STEM_Dad]

I didn't experience those symptoms during my 6 months on Adderall XR, but those are known (but less common) side effects.

Advice I saw posted somewhere said to drink plenty of water and to chew gum, in order to keep your throat moist.

If Adderall XR (extended release) lasts too long into the night, you should discuss options with your doctor. You might try a lower dosage, or try the IR (instant release) formulation instead.

Vyvanse is a related medication to Adderall, but has a different delivery mechanism. Did you have the same side effects on Vyvanse that you're now having with Adderall XR?

~~~~~

Ironically, the old-school Sudafed contained a related active ingredient, and worked to relieve symptoms like you're experiencing...for most people anyway. (For me, it was too strong. It dried out my throat and usually gave me "medicine head".)

[froloteee311 in reply to STEM_Dad]

Many Adderall/Amp-Dex tablets before 2020 worked great, especially Teva & Sandoz & occasionally Core. I can honestly say from 2020 to now that they've either taken out half the amount of drug per total mg and replaced it with cheap fillers, or taken the entire drug out and filled it with sugar. Look at the most helpful replies on here, all but one are from 2019 and before. If we’re all experiencing the same problems, the issue is the manufacturers, not any of us. This needs to be fixed.

[STEM_Dad in reply to froloteee311]

You're right that there's been a change. I remember reading how a pharmaceutical company which made a lot of the components of ADHD stimulation medications stopped making them sometime around 2020 or 2021. Difference in formulation of the medications made since than can definitely have an effect on how well people respond to them.

During the short while that I was on Adderall XR (in late 2020-early 2021), my doctor told me that the insurance company insisted that I be on name brand Adderall, because of the consistency in manufacturing. (I was floored that for once the insurance company was insisting on the higher priced meds, but I'll bet they were getting a hefty rebate or something to make it worthwhile for them at the time.)