Adderall is a prescription medication used for the treatment of ADHD. ADHD is a neurocognitive disorder that is diagnosed in children, adolescents, and adults worldwide (1). This disorder is characterized by the inability to pay attention to tasks for long periods of time and constant fidgeting. Stimulant medications such as Adderall are used to enhance the activity of neurotransmitters such as dopamine (2). Dopamine is responsible for cognitive activities like attention, memory, motivation, etc. (3). In the next section, let’s explore the possible signs and symptoms of Adderall tongue.
Signs & Symptoms That Accompany Adderall Tongue
Adderall tongue may be accompanied by the following symptoms:
Causes the swelling of your tongue and mouth. Decreases the saliva in your mouth. Results in tongue sucking. Results in biting of tongue, inner cheeks, and lips. Leads to teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism). Results in soreness of the tongue.
Amphetamine, a stimulant present in Adderall, has been associated with the development of dry mouth (4). While dry mouth and Adderall tongue are some of the common side effects, there are a few lesser-known side effects of consuming Adderall. Let’s take a deeper look at this in the next section.
Other Side Effects Of Adderall
As Adderall is a stimulant, it causes these side effects (5):
Reduced appetite Weight loss Slow growth Headaches Irritability Increased blood pressure Restlessness Insomnia Fatigue
While everyone may not experience these side effects, it is important to seek immediate medical attention if you do experience them.
When To See A Doctor
If you are taking Adderall for the treatment of ADHD and experience side effects, it is best to consult your doctor. If you have swelling of your tongue that interferes with any breathing, consult your doctor immediately. In the next section, we take a look at the possible ways to get rid of Adderall tongue.
How To Get Rid Of Adderall Tongue
Currently, there is no specific treatment that addresses Adderall tongue directly. However, you can follow the tips below to alleviate dryness associated with Adderall tongue which may bring you some comfort:
Drink lots of fluids – Drinking lots of fluids and staying hydrated may help relieve the dryness in your mouth that accompanies Adderall tongue. Studies have shown that dry mouth has been associated with dehydration (6).
Avoid tobacco and caffeine – Drinking water or juice instead of caffeine or tobacco may help combat your dry mouth. Studies have shown an association between tobacco, caffeine, and dry mouth (7), (8).
Chew lozenges, candy, or sugar-free gum – Eating sugar-free gum or lozenges may provide some relief from Adderall tongue and dry mouth. Chewing gums containing xylitol may help increase your saliva production (9).
Avoid breathing through your mouth – Breathing through your mouth may make your mouth dry. Instead, breathing through your nose may reduce dryness.
If the symptoms don’t become bearable despite following the above steps, your doctor may change your medication or stop it altogether. Before you consume or discontinue Adderall, you must take a few precautions.
Safety Precautions
Consulting a doctor before taking Adderall is imperative. A few safety measures you must take are:
If you are taking other medications, please let your doctor know. Do not self-medicate without consulting a doctor. Do not reduce or increase the dosage before consulting your doctor. Avoid alcohol or any other stimulant as that may worsen the side effects (10).
Does Adderall make your breath smell? Currently, there is no scientific evidence that states that Adderall results in bad breath. Does Adderall give you cottonmouth? Yes. Dry mouth or cottonmouth is one of the side effects associated with Adderall. Can Adderall mess up your teeth? Consuming Adderall may lead to the development of bruxism or teeth grinding. Does Adderall affect your taste buds? While there is no scientific evidence yet, Adderall may leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth. Will the tics from Adderall go away? Tics may go away when the person stops taking the ADHD medications. However, it is best to consult a doctor to know more about the side effects of Adderall. Can Adderall make your throat swell? Yes, Adderall can make your throat swell. You may require immediate medical attention if that happens. Does Adderall affect gums? Yes, Adderall may cause dental side effects because of the decreased saliva. The risk of getting gum-related issues is high if you take this medicine. What to do when you take too much Adderall? Excess Adderall intake can lead to serious effects. Seek emergency medical assistance. What is a good amount of Adderall to take? The standard recommended dosage of Adderall is 5-60 mg daily. However, your doctor may prescribe the dosage based on your requirement (11).
