Are you taking Adderall to treat ADHD ( Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder )? If so, you may have experienced something surprising. That is, when you take this medication, you feel incredibly calm, or sleepy. Some people may also feel a sense of helplessness, or fatigue. This is actually a bit rare, but it does happen to some people. So let's take a look at why this happens, and what to do about it.
Why does Adderall make you sleepy?
Simply put, Adderall is a stimulant. It's a drug that makes you feel alert and awake. But it also increases the levels of neurotransmitters in your brain called serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These chemicals are what calm us down and help us focus .
Imagine, the brain of someone with ADHD is constantly thinking about different things, unable to stay in one place, and working in a frenzy. What Adderall does is "calm down" this agitated brain and help it work in an orderly manner. So, some people's brains feel this "calming down" a little too much. That's what comes out as a sleepy feeling.
Studies have shown that between 2% and 4% of children taking this medication experience fatigue and drowsiness. Among adults, this number is about 6%. So if this is happening to you, it may be normal.
These habits will help you get good sleep.
If you feel sleepy during the day after taking your medication, you may be able to reduce this problem by improving the quality of your sleep at night. This is called good sleep hygiene.
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Don't change this habit, even on weekends.
- Do not drink alcohol or beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, some soft drinks) close to bedtime.
- Avoid eating a large meal before going to bed.
- Exercise during the day, but it's not good to exercise vigorously right before bed.
- Stop watching TV and using your phone at least half an hour before bed.
- Keep your bedroom dark and quiet .
The 'Crash' that comes after stopping the medication
Another major cause of Adderall drowsiness is stopping the medication suddenly. If you have been using this medication for a long time, or at a high dose, and then stop taking it suddenly without your doctor's advice, you may feel extremely tired and sleepy. This is called an "Adderall crash."
Therefore, never change the dosage of your medication or stop taking it suddenly without talking to your doctor. This will only make the problem worse.
Are there any other alternative medicines?
If you're still having trouble sleeping despite making the lifestyle changes we discussed earlier, be sure to talk to your doctor about this. You may be able to adjust your medication dosage to address the problem. Or you may want to try a different ADHD medication. For example, Dexedrine or Ritalin may work differently for you.
There are several other options besides Adderall:
Non-stimulants
Drugs like Strattera and Qelbree belong to a class of drugs called Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (NRIs) . They work by increasing levels of a chemical in the brain called norepinephrine, which is important for attention and focus. Since they are not stimulants, side effects such as drowsiness may vary.
Some medications for high blood pressure
Intuniv and Kapvay are also non-stimulant medications approved for ADHD. These are actually medications that were originally used to treat high blood pressure. Studies have shown that they help control hyperactivity and impulsiveness. However, they don't have much effect on attention span. Unfortunately, these medications can also make some people feel tired.
Some antidepressants
Some antidepressants, such as tricyclics and bupropion, have also been found to help with ADHD. This is because these medications affect the same chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the brain as Adderall. However, they also have side effects.
| Possible side effects of tricyclics | |
|---|---|
| Blurred vision | Dry mouth |
| Dizziness | Low blood pressure |
| Drowsiness | Difficulty passing stool and urine |
| Sweating | Tremors |
| Upset stomach | Weight gain |
| Possible side effects of Bupropion | |
|---|---|
| Anxiety | Skin rashes |
| Headaches | Upset stomach |
The most important thing is that your doctor should decide whether all of this is right for you. He or she can help you decide which medication is right for you and has the fewest side effects.
Take-Home Message
- The ADHD medication Adderall can make some people feel drowsy or tired. This is rare, but it can happen.
- Establishing good sleep habits (such as going to bed at the same time each night) can help alleviate this condition.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without consulting your doctor for any reason. Doing so may cause a "crash" and make the condition worse.
- If drowsiness persists, talk to your doctor and consider changing the dosage or using an alternative medication.
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