Adderall Drug Interactions

by on April 21, 2012

When used in conjunction with certain other medicines or herbal proudcts, Adderall may cause adverse reactions. For instance, taking the drug with certain sleep medications can decrease the effectiveness of the sleep aid. Taking Adderall with very high doses of certain antacids can increase Adderall levels in the blood, leading to possible side effects.

Before starting Adderall, patients should therefore inform their doctor of all over-the-counter and prescriptions medications they are taking as well as any natural remedies and supplements.

Diuretics

  • acetazolamide (Diamox

Ammonium chloride
Certain antacids

  • calcium carbonate (Tums)
  • sodium bicarbonate

Sleep aides

  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Tylenol PM)

Antipsychotic drugs

  • chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
  • haloperidol (Haldol)
  • lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate)

Anticonvulsant drugs

  • ethosuximide (Zarontin)
  • phenytoin (Dilantin)

Narcotic analgesic

  • meperidine (Demerol)

Antibiotic drugs

  • methenamine (Hiprex, Uprex)

MAOI drugs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)

  • phenelzine (Nardil)
  • tranylcypromine (Parnate)
  • selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar)

Antidepressants

  • isocarboxazid (Marplan)
  • amitriptyline (Elavil)
  • clomipramine (Anafranil)
  • doxepin (Sinequan, Silenor)
  • imipramine (Tofranil)
  • desipramine (Norpramin)
  • nortriptyline (Pamelor)
  • protriptyline (Vivactil)deloxetine (Cymbalta)
  • Citalopram (Celexa)
  • Effexor (Venlafaxine)
  • Fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine)
  • Sertraline (Zoloft)
  • Savella
  • Viibryd
  • Wellbutrin

Drug for hypotensions

  • norepinephrine (Levophed)

Sedatives

  • phenobarbital (Luminal)

Narcotic agents

  • Propoxyphene (Darvocet, Darvon)

Nutritional supplements and other health products, not limited to:

  • ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
  • glutamic acid
  • guarana
  • melatonin

There are different ways by which these drugs interact with Adderall. Some drugs such as antacids and antidiuretics tend to increase Adderall levels in the blood, resulting in side effects. There are also some substances such as ammonium chloride, methenamine and lithium that can potentially decrease the effectiveness of Adderall. Your healthcare provider may choose to adjust your dosage or change discontinue either of the drugs to prevent side effects and to ensure efficacy of the drugs.

It is also possible for Adderall to reduce the efficacy of other drugs taken along with it. For instance, the effects of sleeping aides and antihypertensives (medications for high blood pressure) may be reduced if taken with Adderall. Dose adjustments may be necessary to achieve the desired effects of the other drug.

Adderall tends to reduce the absorption of ethosuximide (Zarontin), probably making these drugs less effective. The effect on phenobarbital (Luminal) is quite difficult to predict. It can either increase or decrease the effectiveness of this anticonvulsant. Your healthcare provider may recommend close monitoring while on treatment.

Meanwhile, haloperidol and chlorpromazine can interfere with the way the brain reacts to Adderall, reducing its efficacy. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose.

Caution must be taken when using meperidine and MAO inhibitors together with Adderall. These medications are known to cause life-threatening side effects. Do not combine these drugs with Adderall without approval of your healthcare provider. The same is true with norephinephrine which often causes increased heart rate and blood pressure when taken along with Adderall.

This is not a complete list of all the drugs that can potentially interact with Adderall. Therefore, it is important to discuss with your healthcare provider all the drugs, both prescription and non-prescription including vitamins, minerals and food supplements, that you normally take to avoid unwanted drug interactions.