Taking Adderall. Having Chest Pain And LBP With Fluctuating Heart Rate. Any Complication?

Posted on Wed, 27 Feb 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 Answered on

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : starting monday at 4 pm i took 170 mg of adderall over the couse of 22 hours till 2 pm the next day(tuesday), they were adderall xr's grinded up (so IR technically)... I have done 100 mg over 24 hours in the past (in december) and i had done about 80 mg two weeks ago... at around 3pm(next day) my heartrate went up to around 140 ish(with palpitations), i managed to keep it below 120 90% of the time for about 2 hours, at the beginning the heartbeat was very strong and it became must weaker(still fast) two hours later... from then till 2 am it was in the 80-120 zone(90% of the time)... after drinking water at around 6pm my pulse dropped... so i must have been dehydrated too.. during those initial two hours i was sweating quite a bit. I was having mild sensations in my chest(heart area) along with ocasional spiking feeling(midly painful/concerning).. my symptoms was palpitations, mild diziness, rapid rate, sweating..(it took a great deal of focus to keep my heartrate down). It is now wednesday at 130 pm and my heartrate is still hoving around 100, going up to 125ish when i stand up.. occasional palpitations and occasional spiking pain(mild) in chest heart area. I feel somewhat weak.. I am very concerned that i may have permanently damaged my heart doing what I did. What is your opinion?
I am 140 poundd

Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (1 hour later)

Hello XXXXXXX,

Thanks for posting your health concern,

You omitted to include your blood pressure values in your description as low blood pressure are usually one of the symptoms/signs or side effects of dextroamphetamine / amphetamine (adderall) abuse or overdose. First of all, XR is extended release and it remains so, while IR is a immediate release and remains so. Whether grounded up or not, it will work as XR (but could work a little faster since in smaller particles). All the symptoms you have described so far are as a result of both the overdose and the side effects and whether you will recover or not, will depend on time and if you are willing to get proper and closer medical attention.
Now to answer the question of whether you have permanently damaged your heart? Depends on whether or not you had originally a silent heart condition which by the use of the stimulant ( both psychotropic and cardiogenic) provoked or decompensated the heart condition. There is no evidence of permanent heart damage due to dextroamphetamine/amphetamine abuse and personally I do not think it can happen, not until has been scientifically proven.
Non the less, I will advise caution, do not be the 'experimental lab lamb' and fall victim to an irreversible heart condition.
Do drink much water, do not take any more.
See a cardiologist for proper heart review and probably a beta blocker to slow down your heart rate a little.

Hope this will be helpful
Dr Nsah

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Nsah Bernard (2 hours later)

Thank you, that is what I wanted to hear, unfortunatley I didnt have equipment to measure my blood pressure at the time. I will definitley see a cardiologist in the future. How long will my pulse remain this high
Also, which type to review/heart analysis should i be looking for?

Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (12 hours later)

You are very much welcome XXXXXXX. Well it will persist till the amphetamine clears which can take up to 2 weeks or a few months. Just be patient and cardiologist consultation is advised.
Analysis will be EKG, Cardiac ultrasound, blood tests (especially specific cardiac enzymes) and other tests that your doctor will deem necessary after examining you.

Hope this helps and please accept my answer if you are satisfied.

Thank you
Dr Nsah

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar