adderall constipation
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Constipation
Constipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. The stool is often hard and dry. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, and feeling as if one has not completely passed the bowel movement. Complications from constipation may include hemorrhoids, anal fissure or fecal impaction. The normal frequency of bowel movements in adults is between three per day and three per week. Babies often have three to four bowel movements per day while young children typically have two to three per day.
Constipation has many causes. Common causes include slow movement of stool within the colon, irritable bowel syndrome, and pelvic floor disorders. Underlying associated diseases include hypothyroidism, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, colon cancer, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Medications associated with constipation include opioids, certain antacids, calcium channel blockers, and anticholinergics. Of those taking opioids about 90% develop constipation. Constipation is more concerning when there is weight loss or anemia, blood is present in the stool, there is a history of inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer in a person’s family, or it is of new onset in someone who is older.
Biofeedback
Treatment of constipation depends on the underlying cause and the duration that it has been present. Measures that may help include drinking enough fluids, eating more fiber, consumption of honey and exercise. If this is not effective, laxatives of the bulk forming agent, osmotic agent, stool softener, or lubricant type may be recommended. Stimulant laxatives are generally reserved for when other types are not effective. Other treatments may include biofeedback or in rare cases surgery.
In the general population rates of constipation are 2–30 percent. Among elderly people living in a care home the rate of constipation is 50–75 percent. People spend, in the United States, more than US$250 million on medications for constipation a year.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is the brand name of the drug amphetamine-dextroamphetamine, a prescription medication primarily used to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, by enhancing concentration and focus levels. It is commonly abused as a weight loss drug, study drug, or recreationally as a party drug as well.
Adderall Statistics
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2013 reported that there were 1.4 million nonmedical users of prescription stimulants in the month prior to the survey. College students may be more prone to abusing Adderall than other demographics, in an effort to enhance their studies or “get ahead.” The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) published that for the years 2006 and 2007, fulltime college students ages 18-22 were twice as likely to abuse Adderall than their peers who were not in college fulltime.
Can Adderall cause constipation?
I have been taking it for couple years and recently something changed. And I happened to look at side effects and that was one of them. I am also aware of all the reasons for constipation, and my diet is good, moderate exercise, more strength training then cardio usually.
Does Adderall Make You Poop?
Adderall can benefit those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. But with the good effects also come potential side effects. While most are mild, you may be surprised by others, including stomach upset and diarrhea.
Keep reading to learn how Adderall works, how it affects your digestive system, and other potential side effects.
How Adderall works
Doctors classify Adderall as a central nervous system stimulant. It increases the amounts of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in two ways:
- Adderall signals the brain to release more neurotransmitters.
- It keeps neurons in the brain from taking in the neurotransmitters, making more available.
Doctors know some of the effects that increased dopamine and norepinephrine have on the body. However, they don’t know exactly why Adderall has beneficial effects on behavior and concentration in those with ADHD.
How Adderall affects the digestive system
The drug packaging for Adderall describes many potential side effects related to taking the medication. These include:
- constipation
- diarrhea
- nausea
- stomach pain
- vomiting
If you’re thinking it’s odd a drug can cause both diarrhea and constipation, you’re right. But people can have reactions to the medications in different ways.
Fight-or-flight hormones
As previously mentioned, Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant. The drug increases the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine in a person’s body.
Doctors associate these neurotransmitters with your “fight-or-flight” response. The body releases hormones when you are anxious or fearful. These hormones enhance concentration, blood flow to the heart and head, and essentially arm your body with greater abilities to flee a scary situation.
What are the primary side effects of Adderall?
In addition to gastrointestinal side effects of taking Adderall, there are other common side effects. These include:
- headaches
- increased blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- insomnia
- mood swings, such as irritability or worsened anxiety
- nervousness
- weight loss
Usually, a doctor will prescribe the lowest dose possible to see if it’s effective. Taking a lower dose should help to minimize side effects.
Severe side effects
Severe side effects have occurred in a very small percentage of people. This includes a phenomenon known as sudden cardiac death. For this reason, a doctor will usually ask if you or anyone in your family has had heart abnormalities or problems with heart rhythms before prescribing Adderall.
Examples of other severe and rare side effects that can occur when taking Adderall include:
- cardiomyopathy, or heart enlargement
- cerebrovascular accident, or stroke
- peripheral vascular disease, where arteries or veins in the body become narrowed and blood doesn’t flow as well to the extremities
- psychosis, a state where a person loses touch with reality and hears or sees things that aren’t there
- Raynaud’s disease, a disorder that affects blood flow to the fingers and toes
- seizures
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a severe allergic reaction that causes a severe, painful, and potentially life-threatening skin rash
What to do when medication makes you constipated
Antidepressants and opioids are common offenders.
It’s frustrating when you feel the urge to move your bowels but can’t seem to go. Before blaming your diet, consider whether medication side effects are causing your constipation.
Possible suspects
Many medications can contribute to constipation, including the following:
- Antidepressants, such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (Prozac) or tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil). “A lot of antidepressants that treat the nerve endings in the brain also affect nerve endings in the gut. That can lead to significant side effects,” says Dr. Braden Kuo, a gastroenterologist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
- Opioids, such as oxycodone (OxyContin) and hydrocodone (Vicodin). “The narcotic effect can cause nerves in the gut to ‘sleep,’ inhibiting movement,” explains Dr. Kuo.
- Calcium-channel blockers, such as diltiazem (Cardizem). These drugs relax the smooth muscles in blood vessels to lower blood pressure. But they also relax the muscles in the gut and may cause constipation.
- Anticholinergics, a large class of medications found in many over-the-counter and prescription medications. These include treatments for urinary incontinence, such as oxybutynin (Ditropan), and allergies, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). These medications block the effects of acetylcholine, a chemical that helps the muscles move. Less movement in the gut can lead to constipation.
A higher risk
Older adults can be more susceptible to the constipation side effect of medications because of a digestive system that’s off balance. “That can be caused by natural aging, or by a defect you might have been able to compensate for when you were younger, but can’t now that you’re older,” says Dr. Kuo. Taking several medications can make constipation worse. Symptoms include having bowel movements too infrequently (typically fewer than three times a week); having hard or small, lumpy stools; having stools that are hard to pass; straining; having painful bowel movements; or having the sensation of incomplete emptying after a bowel movement.
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Treatment for Adderall Addiction
Any kind of addiction is considered a chronic disease that’s defined by a compulsive desire to get a drug like Adderall and use it in spite of consequences that could be physically or socially harmful.9 Because of this, recovering from a stimulant use disorder is difficult and is likely to require help from a health professional.
Fortunately, there are several treatment options for those willing to seek them out.
For many, the first stop when treating their stimulant use disorder is detox. Treatment centers often provide options for medically assisted detox in which you can stay in a hospital setting for the duration of the withdrawal period.
There are several different options you can choose for the next stage of your recovery. Many treatment centers offer inpatient and outpatient options—providing a range of long-term choices depending on your particular situation.
Residential treatment
Inpatient treatment, also known as residential treatment, includes safe housing, medical attention, and 24-hour structured care, as well as a range of therapies. Outpatient treatment is a little harder to define, as it encompasses most of the programs that can be offered by a treatment facility.9
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Oxford Treatment Center offers both inpatient and outpatient treatment and our continuum of care also covers detox. Our approach to treatment is tailored to each person who chooses our services, so you can feel comfortable knowing you’re choosing a quality experience for your recovery.
Both inpatient and outpatient treatment options should include a range of behavioral therapies.9 The therapies helpful for stimulant use disorder are detailed below.
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