Adderall Tongue: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Adderall, a common treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can cause side effects in the mouth and on the tongue. These effects are referred to collectively as Adderall tongue. Learn more about its causes, symptoms, remedies, and prevention.

What Is Adderall Tongue?

Adderall tongue is not a recognized disorder but a group of symptoms that some people taking Adderall have reported. Each person seems to experience Adderall tongue differently and with varying severity. Most descriptions of Adderall tongue are anecdotal; no studies have looked at this phenomenon specifically. Many people describe it as:

• A sore tongue
• A dry tongue and dry mouth
• A raw feeling on the tongue
• Swelling of the tongue and mouth
• Ulcers or sores on the tongue
  

Causes of Adderall Tongue

There are two main causes of Adderall tongue. One is that you're experiencing a common side effect of this medication. The second is that you're having an allergic reaction.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is one of the most common side effects of Adderall and other stimulant medications. It's caused by decreased saliva production and can lead to other issues, including:

• Bad breath
• Heightened thirst
• Sore throat
• Trouble swallowing
• Hoarse voice
• Sores on the tongue, lips, and mouth
• Pain in the tongue, lips, and mouth
• Trouble with taste
  

Allergic Reaction

It is possible to have an allergic reaction to an ADHD medication even after taking it for years. If you are allergic to Adderall and take this drug, you may experience a swollen tongue.

Other potential signs of an Adderall allergic reaction can include:

• Hives, rash, or itchy skin
• Breathing issues, such as wheezing
• Swelling of the lips, mouth, throat, and the areas around the eyes
• Anaphylaxis, which can include labored breathing, dizziness, nausea, disorientation, rapid pulse, vomiting
  

Adderall tongue symptoms caused by allergic reactions usually mean that you can no longer use Adderall to treat your ADHD and will need to switch to a different medication. Other medications used to treat ADHD include:

• Concerta
• Daytrana
• Focalin
• Metadate
• Methylin
• Ritalin

Adderall Tongue Treatment and Prevention

How do you get rid of Adderall tongue that occurs as a side effect of this medication as opposed to being an allergic reaction? The first course of action is to contact your healthcare provider.

Your provider may adjust your ADHD medication dosage to reduce the drug's side effects or provide other strategies to help with your symptoms. If you've just started taking this medication, you may find that your Adderall tongue symptoms decrease as your body begins to adjust to it.

Address dry mouth and related problems (bad breath, sore throat, sores, and tongue pain) with at-home remedies such as:

• Staying hydrated and sipping water throughout the day
• Using a humidifier to bring moist air into your home
• Sucking on candies and lozenges or chewing gum, which can increase saliva production
• Decreasing caffeine and reducing alcohol use
• Using mouthwash
• Trying a nasal wash or oral spray

Other Adderall Side Effects

In addition to mouth and tongue issues, other common Adderall side effects include:

• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Decrease in appetite
• Abdominal upset
  

More About Adderall

The stimulant drug Adderall is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It works by changing how neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin affect the brain. Adderall is one of many ADHD medications.