From the Guidelines
Yes, cough is a potential side effect associated with Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) due to its classification as a psychostimulant medication.
Relevant Evidence
- The study published in Chest in 2020 1 reports that psychostimulant medications, such as dextroamphetamine, can cause chronic cough as a side effect.
- Specifically, the evidence mentions that dextroamphetamine, a component of Adderall, has been linked to new onset tics, and by extension, can be associated with cough.
- Although the study primarily focuses on managing chronic cough in children and does not provide a direct causal link between Adderall and cough, it establishes a connection between psychostimulant medications and cough as a potential adverse event.
- It is essential to note that the evidence does not provide a specific incidence rate of cough associated with Adderall, but it acknowledges the possibility of cough as a side effect of psychostimulant medications.
From the Research
Association between Cough and Adderall
- There is evidence to suggest that amphetamine, a component of Adderall, may be associated with cough as a side effect 2.
- A study found that 3 out of 59 patients (5.1%) reported cough as an adverse event after switching from methylphenidate or amphetamine to atomoxetine 2.
- However, there is no direct evidence to suggest that Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) is a common cause of chronic cough.
- Other studies have discussed drug-induced cough, but they primarily focus on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) as the main causes of drug-induced cough 3, 4.
- Adderall has been associated with other adverse effects, such as cardiomyopathy, but the relationship between Adderall and cough is not well-established 5.