Adderall Tongue: Causes, Prevention, Treatment

Key Takeaways

• Adderall tongue is a group of symptoms some people get from taking Adderall, like a sore or dry tongue and swelling.
• If you notice these symptoms, drink water, use a humidifier, and suck on candies to help increase saliva.
• If you think you’re having an allergic reaction, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor right away.

Adderall, a common treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can cause side effects in the mouth and on the tongue. These effects are referred to collectively as Adderall tongue. Learn more about its causes, symptoms, remedies, and prevention.

Adderall can be habit-forming and should not be taken unless prescribed by a healthcare provider. Do not take Adderall if you have:

• Heart disease, severe high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, or glaucoma
• Taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 14 days
• A history of drug abuse
• High levels of anxiety or agitation

Always consult your healthcare provider before taking any medicine or supplement.

What Is Adderall Tongue?

Adderall tongue is not a recognized disorder but a group of symptoms that some people taking Adderall have reported. Each person seems to experience Adderall tongue differently and with varying severity. Most descriptions of Adderall tongue are anecdotal; no studies have looked at this phenomenon specifically. Many people describe it as:

• A sore tongue
• A dry tongue and dry mouth
• A raw feeling on the tongue
• Swelling of the tongue and mouth
• Ulcers or sores on the tongue

Causes of Adderall Tongue

There are two main causes of Adderall tongue. One is that you’re experiencing a common side effect of this medication. The second is that you’re having an allergic reaction.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is one of the most common side effects of Adderall and other stimulant medications. It’s caused by decreased saliva production and can lead to other issues, including:

• Bad breath
• Heightened thirst
• Sore throat
• Trouble swallowing
• Hoarse voice
• Sores on the tongue, lips, and mouth
• Pain in the tongue, lips, and mouth
• Trouble with taste

Allergic Reaction

It is possible to have an allergic reaction to an ADHD medication even after taking it for years. If you are allergic to Adderall and take this drug, you may experience a swollen tongue.

Other potential signs of an Adderall allergic reaction can include:

• Hives, rash, or itchy skin
• Breathing issues, such as wheezing
• Swelling of the lips, mouth, throat, and the areas around the eyes
• Anaphylaxis, which can include labored breathing, dizziness, nausea, disorientation, rapid pulse, vomiting

Adderall tongue symptoms caused by allergic reactions usually mean that you can no longer use Adderall to treat your ADHD and will need to switch to a different medication. Other medications used to treat ADHD include:

• Concerta
• Daytrana
• Focalin
• Metadate
• Methylin
• Ritalin

If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction, call your healthcare provider right away and stop taking your medication. If you are experiencing anaphylaxis, have someone call 911 or take you to the nearest emergency room.

Adderall Tongue Treatment and Prevention

How do you get rid of Adderall tongue that occurs as a side effect of this medication as opposed to being an allergic reaction? The first course of action is to contact your healthcare provider.

Your provider may adjust your ADHD medication dosage to reduce the drug’s side effects or provide other strategies to help with your symptoms. If you’ve just started taking this medication, you may find that your Adderall tongue symptoms decrease as your body begins to adjust to it.

Address dry mouth and related problems (bad breath, sore throat, sores, and tongue pain) with at-home remedies such as:

• Staying hydrated and sipping water throughout the day
• Using a humidifier to bring moist air into your home
• Sucking on candies and lozenges or chewing gum, which can increase saliva production
• Decreasing caffeine and reducing alcohol use
• Using mouthwash
• Trying a nasal wash or oral spray

Other Adderall Side Effects

In addition to mouth and tongue issues, other common Adderall side effects include:

• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Decrease in appetite
• Abdominal upset

More About Adderall

The stimulant drug Adderall is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It works by changing how neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin affect the brain. Adderall is one of many ADHD medications.

Adderall can be habit-forming and should not be taken unless prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. This medication should also be avoided by certain individuals. This includes those who:

• Have heart disease, severe high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, or glaucoma
• Have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 14 days
• Have a history of drug abuse
• Experience high levels of anxiety, tenseness, or agitation

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Adderall tongue painful?

  People can experience Adderall tongue a little differently. For some, it’s experienced more as a dry feeling on the tongue and in the mouth. For others, pain may be involved, including swelling of the tongue, tenderness, and pain caused by sores and ulcers.

• How long does Adderall tongue last?

  Adderall side effects like dry mouth may resolve a few weeks after starting the medication, as your body adjusts. However, some people may experience Adderall tongue the entire time they are using this drug, to varying degrees.  

• Is Adderall tongue contagious?

  No, Adderall tongue isn’t contagious because it’s either caused by an allergic reaction to the medication or is a medication side effect. Still, some viruses and bacterial infections may have similar symptoms to Adderall tongue, which is why you should share your symptoms with your healthcare provider.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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Additional Reading

• MedlinePlus. Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.

By Wendy Wisner

Wendy Wisner is a health and parenting writer, lactation consultant (IBCLC), and mom to two awesome sons.

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