ive been on adderall for a month now... it makes me very hyper..anyways im gaining weight instead of loosing..i dont understand..anyone else havein this problem?
Adderall XR - anyone had weight gain while taking Adderall?
Question posted by fara35 on 2 May 2011
Last updated on 27 March 2024 (11 weeks ago) by MTNest
40 Answers
MTNest
27 March 2024
I've gained about 30 lbs in the 9 months I've been on Adderall IR (I know OP was asking specifically about XR). I wasn't a thin person before I started Adderall, and now all the comorbid stuff that comes with obesity has started too: shortness of breath, chronic cough, high blood pressure, pelvic floor issues, carpal tunnel, etc. It's really embarrassing, and I feel like I don't have any control to stop it. Part of it is compulsive snacking (sugar cravings are through the roof), and part of it might be that I'm less active physically, and more focused mentally. I do struggle with intense anxiety on ADHD meds, so I'm guessing it has some to do with my adrenal system, as someone else mentioned. I'm headed to the doc to talk about options.
I'm sure I'll be in the position of having to convince the doc to consider that as the cause, since the vast majority of people seem to lose weight on stimulants. It's sad that I have to decide between a healthier mind or a healthier body.
Carly Sue
22 Dec 2023
I want everyone to know that they are not crazy Adderall XR 30 mg extended release I have never in my life or even on Google unless they got it wrong and we're taking instant release in the pill form not the capsule everyone who has taken Adderall XR 30 mg since 2017 has gained massive amounts of weight has swollen all over their body and they have been to the doctor a million times over thinking it's something else and it's not it is that drug and it is hard to get off of and it is hard to make yourself realize it is not you it is not you abusing the drug it is not you doing anything wrong Adderall extended release do not take Adderall in extended release in any milligram if you take Adderall take it in the pill form not the capsule not the extended release if you've ever trusted anyone trust me on this and I don't know about anyone else but I can promise you the XR you won't even get the benefits of having an ADHD Med because it will not improve your ...
concentration it will just mess you up to a point where you don't even realize and everyone else see it but you can't the only thing you can see is a massive amount of weight gain dry mouth white stuff all around your lips from the dry mouth and a swollen body that is constantly sore and you don't know what you're doing where you're going and it doesn't help ADHD at all the problem is making the doctors realize that since the very first year of an Adderall shortage the extended release Adderall in capsule form in every single milligram had had the makeup of it changed and everyone swears that this has happened on purpose from the Food and Drug Administration but we won't get into that and trust me the FDA won't change it anyway but the extended release Adderall will make you miserable will make you extremely fat will make you swollen and it will not help your ADHD at all and it is impossible and it is also impossible to make you realize that it is this drug that is doing it to you when someone like me even is trying to tell you trust me it is not you since about 2017 it is not you until now which is 2023 and I can almost promise you come 20 25 it still won't change the Adderall 30 mg XR and all that are all capsules in Adderall that are extended release are going to mess you up huge and no matter how your blood work comes back or what you try to tell the doctor it's not going to read to you that it is the Adderall doing it it is 100 200% definitely the Adderall XR but you should already know if you're taking it because it will make you miserable feeling and it won't help your ADHD at all but it ruins you so much and I'm going to repeat myself it is not you overtaking it it is not you taking it for too long and it is not to make up of your body it is the actual Adderall XR capsules they are poison they're hurting you not helping switch to the pill form instant release trust me if you read this and you do it you would actually thank me if you could more than you would ever know it may take a month and a half or maybe it'll just take one month but you will figure out wow you will wish you never went on Adderall XR again and these doctors do not even realize anymore that since 2017 after the very first year of the shortage Adderall XR makeup of the pill completely changed it doesn't matter if it's brand name it doesn't matter nothing it is going to make you fat and it's going to make you miserable and it's going to make you not feel good and when I say you will gain a lot of weight you will gain a ton away it doesn't matter generic or not XR is terrible get the pill form instant release even if they will only prescribe you to 20 mg in a day trust me it is better than taking two 30 mg XR good luck I hope this helps someone and I know it has to because anyone that takes my advice on this is in for a world of shock those Adderall X extended release capsules are seriously hurting you and poison but in the same return they'll never find any reason why you're gaining so much weight and you're so swollen and your so miserable even if it means you have to switch to Vyvanse it is better to do that if the doctor will not give you the instant release in the pill form than to ever keep taking Adderall XR in the capsule just tell your doctor to switch you to the pill instant release not extended
AdhdYep
22 Oct 2022
Yes. I have gained significant weight ion it. 20 lbs. There are times I take the medication and within an hour I am out cold for 3 hours. I don't take Adderall to lose weight nor to stay awake but I did not expect to be sleep so deep I can't even force myself to keep my eyes open. I have tried to explain this to my provider... I am struggling so badly. I don't know what to do.
Carly Sue
22 Dec 2023
It is not you in regards to the Adderall XR I really honestly am hoping as I do this and write this that you seriously stop thinking that it is you and you are the reason you're gaining a ton of weight sleeping all the time not able to focus and miserable and the doctor will never be able to tell you what and why and whatever they can think of it is not you it is the Adderall XR get off of the XR I don't care what milligram it is and get on instant release because I am trying to tell you honestly with everything in me it has nothing to do with anyone abusing these pills and I'm not even close to kidding it has to do with the makeup manufacturing of the XR pill since the first year around 2017 these pills have made people swell up like the Pillsbury Doughboy or worse tired swollen gain a ton of weight like you wouldn't believe and they don't help your focus at all it is not you get off of any milligram of Adderall XR in the capsule and get on the pill form ...
instant release with everything in me please believe what I just said I've been through this and it is awful and a lot of people have been through this more than you will know I mean I think pretty much everyone has been through it who has been taking the Adderall XR but they can't get off it long enough to realize and make their doctor realize that something is wrong the only thing that is wrong is it is the Adderall XR the capsule form of Adderall is straight poison on top of swelling up like the plague and weight gain and not being able to think clear and being tired and sore it has a lot more stuff to you than you even realize but everybody else notices it too I know it sounds weird but believe me ask anyone who's around you and they will be able to tell you your changes you and you don't even realize it does Adderall XR pills are just poison self the best favor in the world that will help your health more than you'll know and get on the instant release not the extended release, good luck and I'm going to repeat myself it's going to be a real bugger do it first but after 3 weeks or even just a month no longer than that boy will you know what I'm talking about
Lodge2019
21 Aug 2022
Yes! I'm 45 and taking for a year -25 lbs gained went off a month ago and down 7 lbs already with no intentional changes-ugh
wheresthebarrrecipe
3 July 2022
ive been on adderall for 20 years, i dont lose weight from it i eat like a horse, i think im up about 70 pounds since when i started. adderall doesnt effect me like most people which is exactly why im on it ;)
slainte_sange
3 July 2022
The weight gain is caused due to slowing metabolism as we age but also because it puts a lot of stress on the adrenal glands and that raises your cortisol levels. Cortisol levels make you fat because it’s a stress hormone. And the stress hormone back in the day was useful for us to hold onto calories to pack on a little bit of weights so if we went without food for too long then we would have reserves. But nowadays it’s just a pain in the butt. So try and reduce your stress hormone response by drinking plenty of water, lymphatic massage, relaxing epsom salt baths, yoga, eat 6 small meals a day (3 large ones just throws the metabolism all over the place and get plenty of sleep.
tiff0121
1 July 2022
Yes! About 60lbs. I think Initially when you first start this medication it makes you lose weight but after being on it long term... you gain it. How it worked in my experience anyways.
tomlow
11 Aug 2021
I am a 51 year old male. I have talked with my psychiatrist and my primary physician. Neither one of them can figure out why I have gained about 55 lbs. in 4 years. I am on a high dosage of the Generic Adderall ER and IR. I am one of two patients that my psychiatrist has out hundreds and also he has been in practice for over 28 years. They, he and my primary physician are testing me for any and everything. The only thing they have found is my testosterone was extremely low. I am not happy with the way I look and embarrassed that instead of losing the weight, i go and buy larger size clothes.
Cmbain06
5 Feb 2021
Oh my gosh yes I have gained weight Adderall I was losing weight like crazy then I got off of it for a little while got back on I quit losing weight and now I’m gaining weight so depressing
Resqk9
9 Jan 2021
Yes. Slowly, but consistently. I've gained one pound each month for 4 years. I now find myself 50 pounds overweight. You aren't alone
TrentHansHC
15 Dec 2020
I started on 20MG XR, and got up to 30MG XR, i had no appetite throughout school hours and wouldn’t have an appetite unless i smoked marijuana, my appetite would come when it was bed time, so i’d fine myself eating a whole days worth of calories right before bed which led to massive weight gain. when i got put on Adderall i was around 215, when i stopped taking it i was around 275. now that i’ve been off it for almost a year and my appetite is more controlled and predictable my weight has gone down to 235ish. It’s definitely a person to person type experience with too many variables to actually tell if it’s adderall driving the weight gain, or simply my minds reaction to the adderall which caused constant weight gain over time. i hope this helps.
Jcasselb
4 Aug 2020
The latest Adderall tablets which are a lighter tint of pink or blue are causing immediate weight gain. I'm thinking its intentional. It's a certain batch of them. I'm hoping its just that group and not permanent. But they are definitely lighter in color which came out late 2019 or early 2020.
AdhdYep
22 Oct 2022
I read you response and said wow I have thought that too. The generic blue over the last few years is horrible!!! I actually asked for brand. It is different.
AdhdYep
22 Oct 2022
I read you response and said wow I have thought that too. The generic blue over the last few years is horrible!!! I actually asked for brand. It is different.
smcmahan1
24 April 2020
I take Adderall for narcolepsy and ADD. I haven’t gained weight but I do get extreme hunger and my stomach growls louder than it ever has. I have always been into exercising and staying fit so I curve the hunger with drinking a lot of water and snacking on peanuts or coconut chips etc.If I was not so active and mindful of this issue it definitely could lead to weight gain. The medication does make most people lose weight but because it is a stimulant it can increase your metabolism and burn off food quicker in your body. Just because most of the world has one reaction to a drug doesn’t mean you can’t have the total opposite. Get this. It helps me stay awake and does most people but it also can make others very sleepy and it’s a stimulant. So your issue is one I have and hear of quite often. Hope this helps you.
rebccakojak
8 Feb 2020
Adderall makes me severely hungry all of the time. Then if I eat something I might feel full for about thirty minutes and then I get severely hungry again. It's got to be a brain thing because it doesn't matter if my stomach has food in it. I'M FAMISHED!!!
Jule32
14 Nov 2019
I have been on Adderall for years but in the last 6 mths I have gained alot of weight and don't know why. I asked the doctor about the weight gain and he also was surprised Adderall wasn't helping me lose weight.
Related topics
adderall, adderall xr, weight loss (obesity/overweight), weight
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
