Does Adderall Raise Blood Pressure in People with ADHD?

Adderall is a stimulant medication used to manage ADHD symptoms. As a stimulant, it increases activity in the central nervous system, which can lead to a small rise in blood pressure. This rise is usually not dangerous. However, people with heart problems might prefer to avoid prescription stimulants like Adderall.

In this post, you’ll learn how Adderall impacts blood pressure in both healthy and compromised individuals.

What Does Adderall Treat?

Adderall is FDA-approved for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. This prescription medication contains two stimulants: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.[2] Together, they make alterations in the central nervous system (CNS) that reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, two symptoms people with ADHD experience.

What is ADHD?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that causes individuals to experience inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.[3] People with ADHD suffer from challenging relationships, poor self-esteem, and social dysfunction.[3]

There are three types of ADHD, including predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive, and combined presentation.[4] To be diagnosed with ADHD, one must have persistent symptoms in these categories for a minimum of six months.

Symptoms are categorized by type and include:[4]

• Inattentive: People with ADHD have difficulty paying attention or staying focused. They also suffer from disorganization and easily forget important tasks.
• Hyperactive/impulsive: These symptoms include feeling fidgety, nervous and having excessive energy. People experiencing these symptoms may be talkative and have difficulty sitting still.
• Combined: People with this type of ADHD experience both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms.

Without medication, individuals with ADHD have a difficult time in school, at home or work and may have failed relationships. Although it is not curable, a successful treatment is possible with a combination of therapy and a prescription medication, such as Adderall.[3]

Is Hypertension a Side-Effect of Taking Adderall?

Yes, high blood pressure is a symptom of stimulant use, including taking Adderall. However, this increase in blood pressure isn’t enough to warrant medical treatment. However, researchers admit that it is not known if the potential harms of taking a daily amphetamine like Adderall outweigh the possible benefits.[5] According to Access FDA, this increase in blood pressure spans from 2 to 4 mmHg on average.[6]

What are the Common Side Effects of Adderall?

People who take the prescription drug Adderall may experience:[7]

• Decreased appetite leading to weight loss.
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Less commonly experienced side effects include:[7]

• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Fast heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Anxiety
• Nervousness
• Agitation

Rare potential side effects include:[7]

• Dangerously increased blood pressure
• Worsening of pre-existing heart conditions
• Higher risk of seizures
• Shortness of breath
• Arrhythmias
• Chest pain
• Painful erection
• Stunted growth

Many of the side effects associated with Adderall use will stop shortly after discontinuing use. However, individuals with a physical or psychological dependence on the drug may experience psychosis and heart disease, or a heart attack.[8]

Does Everyone Taking Adderall Experience Increased Blood Pressure?

Not everyone taking Adderall will experience increased blood pressure, though it is a side effect. According to the National Library of Medicine, the most commonly reported adverse cardiovascular effects of taking Adderall are elevated blood pressure and heart rate.[9] According to their research, this was observed in individuals who take the medication in the short and long term.[9]

While this may be concerning for some, they consider the increase in blood pressure to be statistically relevant, but not clinically significant, as consistently elevated blood pressure would have contributed to an increase in cardiovascular morbidity.

Is Hypertension a Symptom of Adderall Overdose?

Taking more Adderall than prescribed can lead to an Adderall overdose. Adderall overdose is dangerous and can result in several life-threatening complications, including extremely elevated high blood pressure.[10]

Other signs include:[10]

• Fast heart rate (tachycardia)
• Impulsivity
• Aggression
• Serotonin syndrome
• Psychosis
• Seizures

The treatment for Adderall toxicity-induced hypertension is agitation treatment through the use of sedatives like benzodiazepines.[10] If this isn’t suitable, antihypertensive therapy may be administered.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Adderall-Induced High Blood Pressure?

While a small increase in blood pressure is of no alarm, a reading with a top number of 180 and a bottom number of 120 is considered a hypertensive crisis.[11] This condition requires immediate treatment in a hospital setting. However, it’s important to note that a blood pressure reading of 140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic is considered Stage 2 hypertension and should be reported to your doctor.

Should I Stop Using Adderall If I Experience High Blood Pressure

You may want to abruptly stop using Adderall if you’re experiencing high blood pressure. However, doing so, especially after long-term use, can result in withdrawal syndrome. Adderall withdrawal symptoms are a reaction your body has when you stop using it after becoming dependent on it.[12] The severity of these symptoms depends on the duration of time you’ve used it and the amount you’ve used.

Symptoms of Adderall withdrawal occur just six hours after stopping Adderall and can last anywhere from five days to four weeks.[13]

These symptoms include:[13]

• Fatigue
• Low mood
• Tiredness
• Depression
• Irritability
• Nightmares
• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Lack of motivation

In most cases, withdrawal symptoms will subside in three to four weeks. Rarely will people experience them for several months.

Will My Blood Pressure Go Down After Quitting Adderall?

After discontinuing Adderall, your blood pressure should return to its normal state. However, if you notice an elevated blood pressure after stopping, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider. Elevated blood pressure can sometimes be due to chronic high blood pressure, which often goes unnoticed, or other factors such as stress, insomnia, and anxiety.[11]

It’s also common for individuals to feel stressed or uncomfortable after stopping Adderall. They might worry that their symptoms—like hyperactivity or inattentiveness—will worsen or become unmanageable without the medication. These concerns can lead to difficulties with sleep and concentration, which in turn can increase stress.

Can Abusing Adderall Cause High Blood Pressure?

If you’re using more Adderall than prescribed, chances are you will experience the signs of Adderall toxicity, which include elevated blood pressure and agitation. If you continue to abuse Adderall, in large doses, you will significantly increase your chances of experiencing the more adverse effects of an overdose.

Although this pattern can lead to significant health complications, quitting Adderall suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms.

A taper dose schedule, prescribed by your physician, can help you safely wean off the medication and avoid these symptoms.

Getting Help for Adderall Addiction

If you are experiencing symptoms of a substance use disorder or addiction—such as doctor shopping to obtain more Adderall, cravings when not using, or withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit—you may need professional help. Engaging in risky behaviors to get more medication or taking more Adderall than prescribed to feel its effects are signs of a potential substance use disorder.

Engage Wellness Acton offers various treatment programs designed to address all aspects of addiction, including underlying causes, triggers, and maladaptive habits that lead to drug use. This includes medication-assisted treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and group therapy. These programs will provide you with practical strategies to overcome triggers and better manage stress that may contribute to Adderall abuse.

To learn more about how these treatments can work for you, contact us at (978) 699-9786.

Our dedicated team is here to support you in overcoming dependence and achieving recovery.