Adderall & Vitamin C interaction
I am working with a new psychiatrist (nothing wrong with the old one; Dr. W specializes in mid-life women with ADHD). She is running me through a trial of three new meds, none of which were on the market 15 years ago when I first tried on ADD meds – gosh has it been that long ago?
It was a complete surprise to me to learn that stimulant medications have a distinct and negative interaction with foods that contain Vitamin C. Apparently the Vitamin C diminishes the effectiveness of the medication.*
Huh? I had NO idea this was true. I don’t know about you, but I want all the bang for my medication buck possible, so I’m gonna follow her suggestions (which she found on the package inserts of Adderall XR and Dexadrine Spansules – I need to get out my reading glasses to check that teeny tiny print more carefully).
Here’s the rule:
No foods with Vitamin C one hour before or after taking stimulants
Vitamin C big players on the food court include:
Oranges – juice or fruit
Grapefruit – juice or fruit
Strawberries
Papaya
Kiwi fruit
Mango
Cantaloupe
Lemons/lemonade
Limes/limeade
Potatoes (this is not a misprint)
Brussels sprouts
Broccoli
Kale
Cauliflower (who knew?)
Parsley
Mustard greens
Bell peppers
Other sneaky sources of Vitamin C
Coke/soft drinks/colas (!!!!)
Power bars
Fortified cereal
Power drinks
Granola bars
Pop Tarts
Any kind of jam or jelly made from fruits listed above
And of course…
Vitamins – multi-vitamins
Vitamin C tablets
FYI
Dr. Wojdyska also nixes taking antibiotics in that two hour time span. And I found on the Adderall XR site that melatonin reacts with the medication, too. Insomniacs beware .. but only for that short time period.
(If you think taking an antacid like TUMS will allow you to eat citrus, you’re right, but note that *taking antacids INCREASES the effect of Adderall. Be careful out there….)
Thanks, Dr. W – you’re the best.
And now you know the rest of the label…
Hugs
Linda
| Drug Interactions: |
| Acidifying agents -Gastrointestinal acidifying agents (guanethidine, reserpine, glutamic acid HCl, ascorbic acid, etc.) lower absorption of amphetamines. |
| Urinary acidifying agents -These agents (ammonium chloride, sodium acid phosphate, etc.) increase the concentration of the ionized species of the amphetamine molecule, thereby increasing urinary excretion. Both groups of agents lower blood levels and efficacy of amphetamines. |
| Alkalinizing agents -Gastrointestinal alkalinizing agents (sodium bicarbonate, etc.) increase absorption of amphetamines. Co-administration of ADDERALL XR® and gastrointestinal alkalinizing agents, such as antacids, should be avoided. Urinary alkalinizing agents (acetazolamide, some thiazides) increase the concentration of the non-ionized species of the amphetamine molecule, thereby decreasing urinary excretion. Both groups of agents increase blood levels and therefore potentiate the actions of amphetamines. |
July 25th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Very interesting!! I had no idea!! I take my Adderall XR one hour before I get up (it helps me get up!), then take a shower before I eat breakfast.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:50 am
Well, I guess I should’ve checked that fine print, too! I’ve been taking my Adderall with a full glass of O.J. every morning for the past two years! Could that be why it seems to not be working correctly!? Sheesh! I’ll be changing that first thing in the morning.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Wow-I found this site looking for 1-a teacher behavioral checklist (not to diagnose, but to track efficacy of medication), or 2-an ADHD specific inspirational poster for my son, who ahs ADHD….and I fit your readership perfectly!!!
But I am really confused/bothered by the whole vitamin c thing, since my son is (now)on Concerta, and has been on and off of several emds for years…but since weight loss is a concern fora growing boy, and making sure the meds last thru the day is another, he suusally has a (big as I can force him to eat) breakfast with almost all of the “no-no” foods, and pops his pill right afterward….yet no Dr or anybody has ever mentioned this. I will be calling them tomorrow to let them know!!! Thank you!!!
February 20th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
This is 100% true! I was reading the insert for Adderall one day, and noticed it mentioned something about “acidifying-agents” and possible interactions with Adderall.
Upon further investigation I found lots of research that Vitamin C and foods high in Citric Acid do in fact render most of the amphetamine (Adderall and Dexadrine) or methylphenidate (Ritalin or Concerta) molecule inactive when taken together.
Our patients are amazed how much better their ADHD medications work when they avoid these types of foods. Share the news, it is a vital part of proper dosing!