Adderall & Blood Pressure

[kcrady]

Anyone experience the side effect of having Adderal make your blood pressure increase? I've been taking it for only a few days at a reasonably low dose - and have constant ringing in my ears, among other things.

My prescription is 15mg of generic Adderal (insurance won't cover the brand if a generic exists...) 2 or 3 times daily. Per the doctor, that means 1 or 2 in the morning, and another 1 around noon. The lower dose helped to calm me, the higher dose helped me focus - but I can't live (literally) with the side effects. I'm not taking anymore until I've called the doctor.

Also feeling quite frustrated because my insurance is SO restrictive about what they'll cover, and there's no way I can afford full price on these meds. I'm not sure what to try next.

[gettingingear]

Originally posted by kcrady
Anyone experience the side effect of having Adderal make your blood pressure increase?

Yes. Several medical professionals have claimed that my doctor should be monitoring my BP while I am on this med, however, his receptionist says he only does for those that come in with a history of high BP and even then, it is up to their primary doctor to monitor and treat this. I think they are not taking me seriously though I have had repeated readings taken by professionals with 130+/90+ and pulse rate often over 100. A nurse recently told me a pulse rate of 80 was considered "fast" and that even before the new standards for BP were out my BP is too high, especially for my age and fitness level. I have to bring this issue up with my doctor. This medication seems to increase my BP (and anxiety) a lot in withdrawal periods especially.

[Tara]

Does the Dr who is prescribing you the medication know that your BP is that high? I suggest going over the receptionist's head and demand to speak to the Dr and let him know that your BP is that high. It just seems to me that the Dr who prescribes the medication should be the one who monitors the side effects of it.

[Andrew]

I agree wholeheartedly with Tara on this.

[Tara]

I saw a neurologist today for an intial consult for medication. He mentioned something about how I should have PCP monitor my blood pressure if I go on AD/HD medication. Which makes no sense to me since he would be the one writing out the prescription.

That among many other things really turned me off to this guy so I won't be using his services...lol

[nscott]

It might be related to the quantity of adderall you are taking that produces the high blood pressure. you said that you take 1-2 15 mg pills in the morning.... and another in the afternoon. Have you tested your BP at different times during the day? One would imagine that your heart rate and bp increases during the times where you double up the dosage. Have you thought about taking 22.5 mg 2x a day? or spreading out the 15mg doses 3x per day? What about checking into Adderall XP, which is a time-release forumla? Just some advice.

Also- do you get any excercise? Are you eating properly? Are you overweight? These, among other factors can have a profound impact on your blood pressure.

[nscott]

Last thing- I had an issue w/Anxiety being created when on adderall and my dr prescribed klonapin (.5 mg 2x a day, which seemed to dramatically lower my heart rate and reduce my anxiety. Just something to look into .

[smooch]

nscott~

I have anxiety and take AdderallXR, also. My psychiatrist put me on Klonapin last month (generic form of it, can't remember its name) because I was annoyed with having take so much Neurontin (for anxiety, which is an off-label use), and it wasn't working anyway. The Klonopin definitely helps me much better than the Neurontin ever did.