I was so happy to read your post. I have been taking Adderall XR off and on for years. I complained to my Dr that my nose turns red. It seems to happen when I eat while on Adderall. My Dr. Assumed it was due to a allergic reaction to fod or alcohol. However, it also happens when I am not eating, sometimes later in the day I will notice my nose is flushed. I can sometimes physically feel it happening, my face gets tingling, my nose feels a little numb like.

I also get very irritable on Adderall. I can be really short with people and I have no tolerance or patience. I become hyperfocused and task oriented which does help me get things accomplished. Sometimes I feel my heart pounding, but not to the extent that I need to other meds to address the heart situation. Please let me know if you learn of any news about the flushed nose syndrome.

Thanks! Suzanne D

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I will definitely let you know if I find any info. on this. It has definitely made me alittle more self-conscious (as if I needed that!). I frequently powder my nose so not to stand out!

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Red Nose Syndrome??? Funny someone should write about such a thing....

I'm a 53 yr old taking Adderall XR for several years. After all these years of attributing my "red face" syndrome to hot flashes or early menopause, there may be a totally other explanation for my hot red face. Doesn't last too long, about maybe 10 mins or so; and happens intermittently. Just something else to think about.

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Maria, That, too, had crossed my mind, but I am 18 months post-hysterectomy (& ovaries). My estrogen levels should be consistent now with the patch. I have only been on Adderall XR for 3-4 months now. I really have had no other changes nor any other medications (other than the beta blocker) to blame. I just don't know what is causing this strange phenomenon.

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It has nothing to do with age because I am a 23 year old female on adderall xr and the same thing happens to me. It's really embarassing. I noticed it only happens after I eat....so werid!

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I've been taking Adderall xr since 2004 for my adhd. I've noticed in the past 2 years my nose turns red occasionally also! I was just searching to see if anyone else had this symptom when I ran across this thread.

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many of the syptoms you describe can be due to both the ADDErall and menopause. I was on adderall; but it was my doctor who decided that Ritalin would be better .She did not like the literature on it. Since taking Ritalin I am focus and no side effects like a red nose . Palpatations due to the Mitral Valve Prolapse can be increased both to the med and the hormone changes in you. Be careful with stimulants in drinks etc. No Gingseng either. you may also find since the hysterectomy difficult sleeeping , skin drier . I would ask for my med to be changed. Especially if it causing you so much discomfort. you may still need the beta blocker with another med; and again due to the hysterectomy (Judi)

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happy37 said: I have been taking Adderall XR 20 mg for 2 months now; it has definitely helped me stay focused (sometimes even alittle hyperfocused). But since I have been taking Adderall, I have had to start taking a beta blocker for heart palpitations. ( mitral valve prolapse) I have also noticed that I am easily agitated and so irritable over things that would not have normally upset me. I get so annoyed and worked up that it takes me awhile to calm down. Has anyone else had any problems with irritability while taking Adderall XR? I have taken antidepressants in the past, but have not needed to since I have been diagnosed and treated for ADHD/Inattentive. I don't really want to take another medication to counteract side effects of the other.

Also, this is really bizarre- I have noticed since starting Adderall, my nose seems to be flushed (red). What does this mean??? It is embarrassing!!!

I am a new Adderall user. I was looking online for something about having a red nose cause I get that as well. Wanted to know that I wasnt alone. Though reading your comment (and I hope you still check this site) I noticed you said you are now on beta blockers. What I wanna know is did your irritability start with the Adderall or AFTER you had started taking the beta blocker. I ask this because I have been on a beta blocker for years because of migraines. It's the only thing that has cured them. However a side effect I have with them which is not listed as a side effect is anger and irritibility. Sometimes it gets pretty bad. I went through periods in the past where I would stop taking them because of how they made me behave, but it would end up causing more harm than good with my headaches. So I just have to deal with the side effect. Perhaps its not the Adderall causing the irritibility for you?

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Been on this for a little less than 2 weeks. It works. I have focus and am able to remember stuff faster. Still lose stuff occasionally but I remember things faster. I am also more irritable now. I dont like the more irritable thing at all. I am NOT impulsive like I was though. This is how I know the meds are working. No spending to much money to crazy stuff no risky behaviors. Just dont like th irritable thing. Any feedback?? Suggestions?? Prescribed 30mg a day. 20 when I get up and 10mg in the afternoon. I took 20 today and the meds still work but I am still irritable. Do you guys find that switching to a methyphenidate drug helps with this????

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I have since been taking Vyvanse for my ADHD along with Cymbalta. My psychiatrist told me that medications for ADHD; subtype inattentive often times cause patients to have anxiety too. I have found this combination to be best for me. I feel great. I don't have the irritability; I am focused; less anxious; I am not experiencing the rebound effect; I am happy. It is true what has been stated on this site so many times.. don't give up, it takes time to regulate the medications! We are fortunate that we have many options. Consult and confide your concerns with your doctor/psychiatrist/psychologist. I am proof you don't have to live with the side-effects.

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I am so happy I found this thread! I have been taking adderall xr for about 6 years now, and very randomly (usually in the afternoon for some reason) my nose will get red!! I can feel it coming on as well because my nose will get tingly and then my nose turns bright red and stays that way for a couple hours - I hate it!!!!! I have been trying for the longest time to figure out what was happening, even a trip to the dermatologist. Does anyone know if there is a way to make this stop happening? It only happens a couple times a week at most, but it is really annoying! If anyone has any tips or remedies, pleaseeee post them!!!

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Any stimulant can cause this side effect along with irritability, hyper-focusing, lack of sleep, appetite disturbance, and general obsessiveness. Luckily, it is not the norm. If this happens reducing the dose, changing to another stimulant, or adding an antidepressant for the obsessive part is often helpful. Another alternative is ADD-care, which is an all natural supplement alternative to the stimulants that has been shown to be as effective at the Amen Clinic with SPECT scan brain imaging and Conner's tests.

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Alot of the red face/nose may be due to blood pressure. Adderall is an amphetamine mix salts. So if you have any other things going on that may be elevating your blood pressure slightly (hormones, meds, etc) and then adding the adderall on top of it your pressure may be causing the red issues. I currently am on it and am so irrated but alot of the meds especially the stimulates have that effect. For me its really when I am rebounding I am getting it. I am going to talk with my doc about taking a small dose in the afternoon or possibly trying the patch for a longer lasting effect. Sometimes when I get home from work I am back to my old self and get nothing done. Talk to your doc. If you are taking any of the stimulates you will have this irritable effect.

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OH my gosh! I am so happy to have stumbled upon this thread- I have tried to tell my doctor before about how the ADHD medication I am on (Strattera) makes my nose literally burn red ( and lately other patches of my face as well), but he made me feel like a fool. The medication does work great, I am actually able to focus and it has helped me immeasurably in terms of my former impulsiveness. Of course, when I tell him both of these things, he basically said, "if you have found something that works, maybe it is worth it to deal with a little facial flushing." I actually stopped taking the medication because I could not handle the flushing anymore. Then I could not handle my absolute inability to focus, especially since I now know what it is like to be able to focus. So about a month ago, I went back on the medication. But the burning and flushing is so incredibly embarrassing and sometimes painful for me, I am considering going off the medication again. I am going crazy!!! I started taking Strattera 3 years ago, and this side effect is showing no signs of fading. Actually, it seems to be getting worse. I currently take 65 mg. at first, I thought it was just alcohol that triggered it, so I avoided alcohol. but then it happened after I ate, so I started to try to isolate different aspects of my food— spicy food? salt? caffeine? gluten- I tried to avoid everything. But it seemed to happen when I ate ANYTHING. now it also seems to happen completely randomly- today I was just sitting at my desk at work, not eating or drinking anything, and I could feel my nose and cheeks start to burn. I am so embarrassed about this and usually run to the bathroom to hide and try to fan my face- which, as 30-yr-old woman, makes me feel incredibly silly. Other days, it doesn't happen at all (though this is rare). It is becoming completely unbearable. I was going to ask my doctor to let me try Adderall to see if it has the same effect, but reading this thread does not give me confidence in finding anything that will not also carry this side effect. Is this something I am going to have to learn to live with, or does anyone know of a ADHD medication that does not cause this side effect? please help!!!

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I just started taking adderall within the last month and have also noticed the red nose phenomenon. Makes me look like I stepped out on break at work for a few cocktails. Nice. I am going to be seeing my doctor for a med check soon, so will probably be going on a timed release version of adderall. It doesn't sound like that may make a difference, however, if other posts are indicative. So far it is a minor irritation. And speaking of which...irritability, yes. I just upped my dosage from 5 mg to 10 mg twice a day, and definitely noticed improved focus. Unfortunately, I find that as it starts to wear off I'm hypersensitive to noise, over stimulation and generally a bit crankier than usual. I recently discontinued my antidepressant (10 mg of sertraline) but I'm thinking of maybe going back on that medication as I have read that it can help with the ADD. Really not experiencing depression, so wanted to discontinue. I am thinking of taking a smaller dose of the Adderall in the afternoon since I'm getting some neck pain, headaches and jaw tension in addition to the irritability, and seeing if that helps.

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I have ADD and I've been on and off Adderall for about ten years. I am 26 years old and I have had this same problem. I finally realized I should just look it up to see if it was just me or other people were sharing this awful side effect. I am going back to school and recently, in the last year I went back on Adderall. I also told my psychiatrist that this side effect was one of the ones that deter me away from taking it. She also thought like others on this message board that it was because I was having some sort of allergic reaction to the medication. I have been on all kinds of doses, long acting(XR) and short acting and it randomely produces this side effect. I went on Ritalin for awhile but I didn't like the way I felt as much so I stopped taking it and didn't record if it caused me to have the red nose thing. I notice it usually happens when the meds are wearing off and it is almost time for my next dose or I am ten or five min's. late for my next dose. I would love to know if someone has found a pattern or cause for this, I am afraid if I am on this for the rest of my life that the blood vessels on my nose might start gettting pronounced from this reaction as I get into my 40's and 50's. Can't wait to hear thoughts and suggestions!!

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Cheryl you took all the words directly from my mouth. The doctor has made me feel like an idiot and no body has any answers which just seems crazy! I feel like if a doctor actually took the time to research this they could tell us why chemically this is happening. I've never tried strattera but have tried adderall and vyvanse and they both give me the red nose problem. I also agree that it's more than my nose just turning red, it's painful sometimes and almost feels like it's throbbing. If you find out any news please share. Good luck!

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Cheryl F said: OH my gosh! I am so happy to have stumbled upon this thread- I have tried to tell my doctor before about how the ADHD medication I am on (Strattera) makes my nose literally burn red ( and lately other patches of my face as well), but he made me feel like a fool. The medication does work great, I am actually able to focus and it has helped me immeasurably in terms of my former impulsiveness. Of course, when I tell him both of these things, he basically said, "if you have found something that works, maybe it is worth it to deal with a little facial flushing." I actually stopped taking the medication because I could not handle the flushing anymore. Then I could not handle my absolute inability to focus, especially since I now know what it is like to be able to focus. So about a month ago, I went back on the medication. But the burning and flushing is so incredibly embarrassing and sometimes painful for me, I am considering going off the medication again. I am going crazy!!! I started taking Strattera 3 years ago, and this side effect is showing no signs of fading. Actually, it seems to be getting worse. I currently take 65 mg. at first, I thought it was just alcohol that triggered it, so I avoided alcohol. but then it happened after I ate, so I started to try to isolate different aspects of my food— spicy food? salt? caffeine? gluten- I tried to avoid everything. But it seemed to happen when I ate ANYTHING. now it also seems to happen completely randomly- today I was just sitting at my desk at work, not eating or drinking anything, and I could feel my nose and cheeks start to burn. I am so embarrassed about this and usually run to the bathroom to hide and try to fan my face- which, as 30-yr-old woman, makes me feel incredibly silly. Other days, it doesn't happen at all (though this is rare). It is becoming completely unbearable. I was going to ask my doctor to let me try Adderall to see if it has the same effect, but reading this thread does not give me confidence in finding anything that will not also carry this side effect. Is this something I am going to have to learn to live with, or does anyone know of a ADHD medication that does not cause this side effect? please help!!!

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Sorry to hear about everyone's issues with Adderall. I'm in my early 40s and recently became aware of my ADD. My psychiatrist suggested I try Adderall (regular) to see if it helped. It's proven to be very beneficial. It's worked for me and it reminds me of the help I got from Prozac when that first came out 20+ years ago (now on generic Zoloft since Prozac's efficacy wore off after years). Both help me maintain a level of functioning for me to live on a somewhat even keel. For instance, it's nice to have clean dishes and clothes. Have not noticed jumpiness or nervousness; in fact Adderall has helped lessen the impusive symptoms and thoughts, like temper, as well as decreased my "overwhelm." I call it my "focus" pill. But I am also working with a home organizer and soon with a therapist for additional help on the relationship side.

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I am 42 female and have been trying to find the right combination of ADHD. It is not an easy task. I was taking Adderall IR, switched to Focalin and then tried Adderall XR. All of them made me extremely cranky and I was getting hot flashes which at first I thought it was just hormonal. The Focalin was the worst. The results were great. My focus was awesome and impulsive behavior was under control, but it was terrible for my relationship and social life. I felt like I had a severe case of PMS all the time. Everything anyone said or did drove me nuts. I was never like that before I started taking the Adderall. I decided to try Vyvanse to see if it would be any different. I really didn't want to since I had already tried three others. I am glad that I did. There was a huge difference! I am not irritable like I was on Adderall also does not have the rebound like the Adderrall. I do still get a red nose with the Vyvanse.

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