Can Adderall Affect Your Kidneys?

09/16/2022

Can Adderall Affect Your Kidneys?

Whether you want to focus on upcoming exams or have received a prescription for your ADHD, Adderall has become one of the most used — and occasionally abused — stimulants on the market. This prescription stimulant is supposed to help you stay more alert and focused on your surroundings while potentially affecting your mood. Most people take the medication without a second thought, but what happens when you take too much? What are the side effects, and can Adderall affect your kidneys?

How Does Adderall Work?

This particular prescription stimulant increases the production of certain chemicals in the brain associated with your attention span and overall mood. Norepinephrine and dopamine affect different, yet interconnected, parts of your system involving attention, stress responses, and complex thinking. Higher levels of these chemicals in your system can increase your alertness and energy levels. While these effects can prove beneficial in short bursts, what happens when the potential side effects begin to show?

Short-Term and Long-Term Side Effects

People taking Adderall — whether through a prescription or other means — can experience several short-term side effects. Some of these can include:

High Blood Pressure
Irritability or Restlessness
Dry Mouth
Irregular Sleep Patterns
Diarrhea or Constipation
Weight Loss
Hair Loss
Muscle Spasms
Heart Problems
Seizures

While these short-term side effects can usually be undone after you stop taking the drug for a time, the long-term outcomes related to repeated use and abuse can prove more challenging to overcome. The long-term side effects include addiction, more serious heart problems, mental health conditions, and slowed growth in children. But what about your liver and kidneys?

The Lingering Effects on Your Body’s Filtration Systems

Our bodies process drugs, medications, and more through our kidneys and livers, expending more energy to cleanse the system. These systems have to work harder to filter the toxins out of your bloodstream when you have an Adderall addiction. For most people, Adderall by itself won’t cause significant kidney or liver damage; however, if you have a preexisting condition, the added stress can significantly worsen things moving forward.

Signs of an Adderall Addiction

When you exceed your prescribed dosage of Adderall or have taken it recreationally, your body will begin to develop an increased tolerance to its effect. As this increases, you’ll need to take more and more to achieve the same feeling as before. When tolerance shifts towards addiction, it can affect your interpersonal relationships, ongoing responsibilities, and even your health. When you stop taking the prescription drug, you can begin to feel some of the withdrawal symptoms, which may include:

Depression
Severe Mood Changes
Increased Appetite
Extreme Drowsiness
Slower Movements

Seek Help From a Respected Drug Treatment Center in Mahanoy City, PA

Whenever someone suffers from an addiction to Adderall, it can be difficult to seek the care they need. Finding substance abuse treatment services that can help you through each stage of your recovery and provide the support you need is crucial. At Silver Pines Treatment Center, we provide our patients with the support and personalized rehab programs they need to take the necessary steps toward recovery. If you or a loved one is seeking a personalized Adderall addiction treatment, please don’t wait. Contact our team at (866)-345-2147 to learn more about our admissions process.