Since taking adderall my bf hacks, coughs, scrocks, whatever you wanna call it, CONSTANTLY. It's gross and it actually seems to be unproductive. He will do it for five minutes straight, claiming it feels like something is stuck way back in his throat but he never actually splits anything out. Ten minutes later, he starts again. Sometimes a teeny chunk of white (I'm sorry this is so gross) will come of it but not anything the warrants hours of phlegmatic coughing. He's also a smoker and def smokes more when on adderall but I'm convinced it has to do with the dry mouth effect more than cigs bc he did not used to do this. It drive me absolutely insane as I find it repulsive to hear it constantly. Anyone know of this being a dude effect and if there is anything to help stop it??
Adderall - Anyone else have a side effect of obsessively hacking up what turns out to be nothing?
Question posted by Adderall users gf on 10 Nov 2014
Last updated on 1 March 2025
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49 Answers Page 4
I am prescribed adderall and this happens to me as well, whether or not I smoke but more so if I do. I have found the only way to avoid the coughing is to avoid the compulsion to cough. I believe this originates from adderall's stimulant properties, and the cough becomes a nervous tick rather than actual preventative action.
I had to resort to taking mucinex around the same time I take my adderall to offset this side effect. I'm not sure of the cause of the side effect, but seems the adderall or one of the fillers in the medicine must cause excess mucus in my throat. Like the post above states, reflux seems to be involved but if I take the mucinex, no cough, no reflux. Hth
I don't smoke and I have been coughing since taking adderal. It is a dry cough which is more annoying than anything else. I know it is from the adderal.
wanted to add, the mucinex feels like it dissolves the mucus while making my throat feel more moist. It's the plain old generic dollar store mucinex, no DM.
I've been struggling with this for YEARS!!! Even though the benefits were amazing from stimulants, I tried them all from Vyvanse to Ritalin, I had to give them up back in 2008 because of the excessive coughing. My doctor would always give me a look of bewilderment when I told him that I'd developed a cough once switched to a higher dose. I was convinced it was post-nasal drip, not only because that's what it felt like, but I WAS smoker AND I have a deviated septum... I recently moved to a bigger city and took on a demanding job, so decided I needed to attempt the meds again in order to keep my edge. I started on Adderall this time, the only one I hadn't tried so far.
First month at 10 mg, once a day, no issues/cough, was so excited, but then when I upped the dosage to 20 mg twice a day, that damn cough came back! So annoyed, I tried every medication that targeted nasal issues, post nasal drip etc, (from cough syrup to Tessalon Pearls to Flonase) NONE of it worked, seemed to for a few minutes at a time at most, but NOPE. I started thinking outside the box and began to contemplate, maybe it's NOT post nasal drip, maybe it's originating somewhere else... turns out it is, I took a PPI/Prilosec, and the constant, irritating, awful cough was gone < hour of taking my first dose. From what I've read online PPI's may cut the effectiveness of the stimulant, so an adjustment may be needed, I'll be speaking with my doctor on my next visit. Good Luck! I know all to well your frustration! I truly don't understand how doctors can be so disconnected/uneducated regarding this seemingly common side-effect.
The only thing that ive found that works great was a breathing treatment from the hospital. I believe the treatment had steroids in it. I could breath perfect after it without that nagging cough. I tried to take a breathing treatment at home but it did not help at all 4 me so i believe the only reason the hospital breathing treatment worked was due to the steroids. Thank god 4 that bt that day because i truly could not breath at all.
That happens to me too not all the time but usually within 15 mins and up to an hour after my med.in the morning . I smoke regurely too and I blame the smoking especially if around ANYTHING in clean, but even then I feel grossed out by the smoke (I still smoke though bcus I love it especially my first hour if day)I keep smoking and try not to throw up until it passes, and yes cus of the dry mouth too maybe.
Its from the cotton mouth the meds give you and the smoking. Try chewing gum and losenges. It helps. I get this everyday its embarrassing. It starts when my meds kick in. But i learned that if i chew gum after i take it and throughout the day it helps. Also ask your doc about benzonatate it helps with the cough reflex.
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Further information
- Adderall uses and safety info
- Adderall prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Adderall (detailed)
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