Heart Disease and Heart Attack Forum - Consequences of using Adderall

Conditions and Diseases > Heart Disease and Heart Attack Forum > Consequences of using Adderall

TOPICS DOCTOR QUESTIONS

Heart Attack

What happens during a heart attack? Get heart attack facts here....

Q: Consequences of using Adderall

asked by: DoctorQuestion on November 19th, 2008

I was put on Adderall after being diagnosed for ADHD at the age of 27. The work and concentration required in a graduate program left me no option but to test for it. The Adderall works phenomenally, in fact feel that my mind requires more than 40 mgs a day. Initially can take higher doses, but after being prescribed and taking this drug regularly, have felt my cardio-vascular system can only handle 30-45 mgs regularly. When the drug's effect is diminishing I feel sharp stabbing pains seemingly in my heart but never when the drug is in full effect. My supplements, diet, and half doses have eliminated the pains; feels like my heart is strengthening. It feels a little sore sometimes, but HR & BP have dropped recently. Will also start exercising soon. Is it possible for a persons cardio-vascular system to improve, despite former substance abuse, to the point that Adderall will be better tolerated by their body?

Will not talk to my doctor about this for fear of losing the medication.

Replies(1)

Dr. Goce Aleksovski , MD

replied on November 20th, 2008

Heart Disease and Heart Attack Answer A4940

Given the data you reported, it might be necessary to consult with your doctor to replace Adderall with another medication. Adderall is contraindicated in patients with a history of drug abuse. Heart problems, including arrhythmia and angina pectoris are also conditions in which Adderall is contraindicated. In those conditions Adderall can cause cardiomyopathy and even sudden death.

Adderall causes effect on norepinephrine. Therefore, sometimes similar effect can be achieved if antidepressants that effect the norepinephrie are administered, thus avoiding the side effects of Adderall.

DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" questions are answered by certified physicians and other medical professionals who volunteer their time on eHealth Forum. For more information about experts participating in the "Ask a Doctor" Network, please visit our medical experts page. You may also visit our Heart Disease and Heart Attack , for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The information provided on eHealth Forum is designed to improve, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician. Personal consultation(s) with a qualified medical professional is the proper means for diagnosing any medical condition.

This question has been answered by the doctor. This topic is now open for public discussion, however no comments below this point will be answered by a doctor.

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc