Hi all - New to this forum but have been reading for a while. I was recently diagnosed with adult ADD and first started on Concerta, then Focalin, and finally Adderall. The adderall works the best for me, but I notice that I've been picking at my skin, to the point where I look like I have chicken pox. I didn't do this on Focalin or Concerta however those medications were not working for me. The adderall works extremely well - is this a common side effect?

Yeah it certainly can be a side effect from amphetamines.


JR

Is this happening while the medication os effective, or afterwards? I've always had a tendency to itch and pick at my skin a little bit (scabs and the like), but I found that I did it less while on Adderall.

Yes, I have a friend who picked her arms at first them she started picking everywhere. She has marks alll ever her skin from this.

Stimulants, and some of the more popular nonstimulant ADHD meds like Wellbutrin and Strattera can exacerbate anxiety. Skin picking (dermotilomania) is technically an anxiety disorder in the OCD spectrum. I know all about it as I have had problems with it off and on for years. I have scars on my arms and body from it.

It might be that a different medication will be better in this regard, or it might be that an add-on medication to treat anxiety will improve things. Typically an antianxiety medication like the SSRI Zoloft or the atypical antipsychotic risperdal is given to treat the anxiety. For me, this approach has worked well. You should talk to your doctor about it before things get out of hand, because it can get worse.

ME :D


Hi all - New to this forum but have been reading for a while. I was recently diagnosed with adult ADD and first started on Concerta, then Focalin, and finally Adderall. The adderall works the best for me, but I notice that I've been picking at my skin, to the point where I look like I have chicken pox. I didn't do this on Focalin or Concerta however those medications were not working for me. The adderall works extremely well - is this a common side effect?

I have had a similar yet milder experience. When taking Ritalin, Concerta, and Focalin.....I had no issues but when I started Adderall, I developed this annoying habit of picking at the dry skin on my lips. I don't really consider this to be problematic in the overall trade-off - I'm not injuring myself or causing disfiguration and its not personally bothersome. Now the other thing I did at the very beginning was talk to myself out loud incessantly......that went away and I'm glad because that would have been a problem.

Amphetamines have the possible side effect of causing tics. This should always be reported to the doctor no matter how hesitant you may be to do that because the med is working. I'm certainly not comparing your situation to this but hard-core meth users are sometimes identifiable by welts all over their skin....they supposedly get "meth bugs" that cause them to pick at their skin until they practically look like they have leprosy (between that and awful teeth "meth mouth", I would be scared to death to develop that addiction)

Now of course the two things are not the same but Adderall-related tics should be reported in case they start to get out of hand.

Oh and also.....keep in mind the new Vyvanse!


Made by Shire (creators of Adderall).......it is metabolized and released differently and from personal experience I have found it to be less harsh than Adderall. I personally was not able to stay on it for other reasons but I have stated here that I predict a lot of Adderall users who have bothersome side effects are really gonna like it! It's hope for those who get no benefit from Strattera or methylphenadate....Concerta, Ritalin, Focalin.

It mainly makes me pick the skin around my nails and cuticles. I don't really pick the skin anywhere else. My fingers do hurt the next day due to picking the skin around them :(

How long have you been on the medication? Im sure your body will get use to the new meds and ur picking will go away. I have had some friends with the same problem and they are fine now.

I wouldn't count on it going away -- I'd talk to my doctor and at least have him help monitor the situation.

I read in the adderall XR prescription information that skin picking/dermatosis is a sign of overdose or something to that affect.

It's actually gotten better since I posted. I've been more concious of when I do it, plus using Acne Free to help dry up my skin (the acne was the cause, and I think I just went overboard with it for a few days or something). My skin is starting to heal and I make sure I keep my hands folded as to not start at it again. I'll be mentioning it to my doctor though - I've been on the Adderall for about a month and my follow up appt is next week. I'm on 20 MG Ir 2 x per day. Thank you for all of your thoughts and replies. :)

I see speed junkies at the street health (methadone) clinic with their scabby faces and arms all the time in my hometown.

Amphetamines cause it. Yup.

Hmmm, it said it can cause certain tics to surface. I have started to notice sometimes when I have to sit still for a while in front of the tv I will crack my knuckles or rub my index finger along the side of my head with my head resting in the palm of my hand. Not picking at my skin, then again there's nothing to pick at :) Seems to be some sort of restlessness behavior for me, not sure about anyone else.