Adderall Side Effects In Men: What Is Adderall?
Adderall and other amphetamines are known as “brain boosters” and “study drugs” because some students believe that these drugs help improve cognition. Adderall doesn’t make a person smarter, but it can increase the perception and feeling of being smarter by improving motivation. Also, It can cause side effects like hallucinations, epilepsy, psychosis, and malnutrition.
The prolonged use of Adderall can lead to addiction and its associated risks. Contrary to what many teens — and even some parents — believe about abusing Adderall, amphetamine is a highly addictive drug.
Adderall is a stimulant medication used to treat ADHD. However, it can have side effects, including erectile dysfunction in some men. Adderall acts on the central nervous system and increases the number of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, in the brain. 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.
Adderall Side Effects In Men: Addiction
Adderall addiction is more likely to develop in teens and young adults because of its effects of increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the central nervous system (CNS). Norepinephrine affects how the brain responds to events, particularly how it pays attention and the speed with which it reacts to outside stimuli. Dopamine, the body’s “feel-good” chemical, creates a rewarding effect. Although dopamine occurs naturally, drugs like Adderall produce unnaturally high levels of it. This can cause users to come back for more.
Prescription stimulants are usually safe for those they are prescribed, but even people under the supervision of a doctor are at risk of developing an addiction. Those who use Adderall without medical assistance to get high or fuel all-night study sessions are at risk of developing an addiction. Due to the likelihood of Adderall addiction, the U.S. government designated Adderall to the same drug classification as cocaine and methamphetamine.
What Are The Adderall Side Effects In Men?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a potential side effect for men taking Adderall. Some men 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 men experience the opposite.
They find it increases their sex drive and do not experience ED. This varies from person to person. In fact, stimulants like Adderall are sometimes used to treat the sexual side effects that may accompany certain antidepressant medications. Other side effects of Adderall can include:
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Problems with sleep
- Dry mouth
- Vision problems
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- An increase in both blood pressure and heart rate
What to Do About Adderall Side Effects In Men?
Although you might feel shy or embarrassed to speak to your doctor, it is important to tell them about any erectile dysfunction you are experiencing. Doctors understand that it is a potential side effect of Adderall and will want to help you to resolve the problem. Your doctor may suggest one of the following solutions.
Adderall Side Effects In Men: Planning Ahead
Some men 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.
Adderall Side Effects In Men: Lower Dose
Taking a lower dosage of Adderall might still be helpful in reducing ADHD symptoms while not resulting in erectile dysfunction.
Adderall Side Effects In Men: Medication Change
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.
Adderall Side Effects In Men: Time to Adjust
Some men experience ED 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.
Adderall Side Effects In Men: Viagra
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 a sildenafil (Viagra) tablet 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 males take it to help with ED.
Even at times when Adderall is not in their 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 gives you a psychological boost. With time, you will feel more confident as you get to know your body and how it responds to Adderall.
Adderall Side Effects In Men: Natural 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 the prescription medication you are taking. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking supplements or vitamins.
Adderall Side Effects In Men: Other Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
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.
Health Conditions
Sometimes ED can be a sign of an underlying health problem, such as diabetes or heart disease, hormone problems, or neurological disease. Or it may reflect other psychiatric issues, such as depression.
Medications
There are many medications that are 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.
Lifestyle Factors
Consuming high levels of alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, and cocaine can result in 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.
Adderall Side Effects In Men: Addiction Treatment
There are no approved medications to help treat an Adderall addiction. Instead, treatment is focused on supervising a person as they go through a detoxification process. Withdrawal from stimulants like Adderall can be extremely uncomfortable and stressful for the body. The doctor will refer the person to an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation center or detox facility.
During rehab, doctors will help the person through the withdrawal process and make it easier to manage any withdrawal symptoms. It’s not recommended that someone quit Adderall cold turkey. Instead, the doctor will slowly lower the dosage under medical supervision. This is called tapering.
In general, the steps for treating an Adderall addiction include the following steps:
- Enroll in a supervised detox or rehab program
- Get a medical evaluation and assessment
- Taper Adderall under medical supervision
- Manage withdrawal symptoms
- Undergo psychotherapy or behavioral therapy
- Develop a plan for aftercare. This can include attending ongoing individual and group psychotherapy conducted by licensed therapists.
Doctors and therapists at We Level Up Treatment Center will help you understand how to live your life without the drug. They can help you find new, healthy coping skills to live your best life.
Reclaim Your Life From Adderall Side Effects In Men
Adderall addiction can become a chronic disease that may cause major health and social problems that should not be taken lightly. We Level Up Treatment Center can provide you, or someone you love, the tools to recover from this with a professional and safe treatment that will help ease the Adderall side effects in men. Feel free to call us to speak with one of our counselors. We can inform you about this condition by giving you relevant information. Our specialists know what you are going through. Please know that each call is private and confidential.
Sources
[1] Prescription Stimulants DrugFacts – National Institute on Drug Abuse (www.drugabuse.gov)
[2] U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Adderall XR label
[3] 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
[4] 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
[5] We Level Up California – Adderall Addiction
[6] We Level Up Treatment Center – Adderall Addiction Treatment