Does Adderall Make You Lose Weight? The Dangers of Using ADHD Drugs for Weight Loss

August 19, 2020 - Drug Facts, Opioid Addiction - 0 Comments

Losing weight is tough. This is a reality for many people who are trying to shed those extra pounds. Even with body positivity messages becoming more prominent, millions of people remain obsessed with losing weight. This is the reason why many diet products, trends, and services flood the billion-dollar weight loss market. There is a constant search for the most effective, least painful solution to lose weight. For many people, they’ve found this solution in Adderall.

Adderall is a brand name for a stimulant drug which is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It is approved for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. For a person with ADHD, taking Adderall can improve their attention span and concentration, as well as help control impulsive behavior.

Because of these effects, Adderall is more popularly known as the “study drug” or the “get ahead drug”. It is being used on many college campuses by students who want to improve their concentration even if they do not have ADHD. The drug is also being used by online gamers who want to enhance their performance by staying alert and energetic while gaming.

Some ADHD patients taking Adderall, however, have noticed that weight loss is one side effect that the drug delivers. This has prompted people who want to lose weight to use this drug as their ticket to a smaller dress size.

Can you lose weight on Adderall?

Aside from improved concentration, Adderall can also cause appetite suppression. This means that if you take Adderall, it is possible not to feel hunger pangs. The constant energy could keep you going without needing food. Obviously, the less food you eat, the less calorie intake which will result in weight loss. Appetite suppression is a common side effect caused by stimulant drugs like Ritalin, Vyvanse, and illegal drugs like street meth.

The answer to the question “does Adderall make you lose weight?” is – yes, it is possible to lose weight with Adderall if you’re not eating normally. If you don’t have an appetite and you’re skipping meals, this could result in weight loss. But is taking Adderall a safe way to lose weight? Are there dangers involved?

Adderall is not approved as a weight loss drug

For ADHD patients, weight loss is often considered a common side effect of taking Adderall. Because of this, many doctors recommend a healthy diet plan for patients to ensure that they are still getting the nutrients they need. This can offset the weight loss effects of the drug.

However, for people without ADHD issues who are consciously taking the drug to lose weight, it is important to note that Adderall has not been approved by the FDA as a weight loss drug. If you have not been prescribed Adderall by your doctor, you should not self-medicate and take Adderall on your own hoping that you are going to lose weight. Doing this could lead to various, more dangerous side effects.

Adderall can cause serious side effects

Many people who take Adderall for weight loss fail to realize that the drug can lead to serious side effects. Because it is a stimulant, taking Adderall and other ADHD stimulant drugs could be fatal to people with heart problems. Stimulants can cause increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and heart palpitations. There have been accounts of people experiencing sudden death after taking stimulants.

Another possible side effect is psychosis. While this has only occurred to a very small number of users, some researchers think that side effects like nervousness, headaches, and insomnia contribute to psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations. People with a history of mental illness are said to be more likely to experience such symptoms.

Taking Adderall Can Lead To Drug Addiction

Some people refer to Adderall as “legal meth” because as a prescription drug, you can legally take it as long as you have a prescription. This has pushed many people to fake their ADHD symptoms just to get the drug. There have been stories online about young women doing this because they need Adderall to stop gaining weight.

However, many of these people taking Adderall are not aware that Adderall can be addictive. If you keep taking the drug, your tolerance will increase, which means you will need a higher dose over time to experience the same effects. This could lead to Adderall dependence and addiction.

If you are struggling with Adderall addiction, help is available.

Contact Lighthouse Treatment Center today.