Pharmacist, Maria Marzella Sulli, PharmD, answers questions about ADHD and children.
My doctor recently put me on Adderall 30mg. I have been taking a lot of ibuprofen daily for a toothache. Can the ibuprofen decrease the effectiveness of the Adderall?
Answer: No, there are no significant drug interactions reported between Adderall and ibuprofen. It is safe to take ibuprofen for your toothache while taking Adderall. Always ask your pharmacist before taking an over-the-counter medication to be sure it is the right one for you.
Is there an interaction between Soma and Adderall XR? I took 10mg of Adderall this morning and have a prescription for Soma. I have not taken the Soma yet, but I am in a lot of pain. Is there a risk or interaction with these two drugs?
Answer: No, there is no dangerous interaction to be concerned about between Soma and Adderall XR.
My 9-year-old son was recently prescribed Focalin XR 5mg and is currently on allergy medication Clarinex Reditabs 5mg. Can he continue to take his allergy medicine while on the new medication?
Answer: Yes, he can continue to take his Clarinex while using Focalin XR. There are no significant drug interactions between these two medications. Your pharmacist will screen for drug interactions when you have your prescriptions filled, so it is important to always have your prescriptions filled at one pharmacy.
I am currently taking 15mg of Adderall XR. I took my medicine about 8 hours ago. I have a sore throat and have had trouble sleeping because of it. Is it okay to take Nyquil tonight, even though I had my medicine earlier today?
Answer: While there are no drug interactions between Adderall XR and Nyquil, I would not recommend Nyquil for a sore throat. Nyquil contains 4 medications, including medications for symptoms you do not seem to have. Always ask your pharmacist to recommend the best over-the-counter medication for your symptoms.
My nephew takes 4 different prescriptions and I want to know if there are any known interactions between them. They are mirtazapine, desmopressin, clonidine, and Concerta.
Answer: There are interactions between some of these medications, depending on what they are being used for. I would really need some more information about your nephew and his condition before answering your question. I would suggest you talk to your nephew’s healthcare provider if you are concerned about his medications. Also, it is important to have all your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy, so the pharmacist can properly screen for drug interactions.
Does exercise cause a slow release pill to release quicker? I’m mainly referring to Vyvanse for ADHD.
Answer: No, exercise will not affect how a slow-release medication works. The most important thing to know about medications designed to be slow-release is that you should never crush or chew them. Doing so can cause an increase in side effects, or even an overdose of medication.
I have started on Adderall 5mg SR tabs. Would this cause me to test positive for methamphetamine on a drug test?
Answer: Adderall is an amphetamine, so it would be detected as amphetamines on a drug test. If you are subjected to drug screenings, you should have your prescription for Adderall on hand, or a doctor’s note with you so you can verify that you take Adderall for medical reasons.
My 13-year-old takes divalproex ER 500mg, Seroquel XR 300mg tabs, and Concerta 54mg ER. He has cold and cough symptoms and I'm not sure what I can give him to help with congestion.
Answer: It really would depend on where his congestion is. You should talk to your pharmacist and tell him/ her more about your son’s symptoms so that pharmacist can suggest a good medication to treat his congestion.
I have to take a pre employment drug test tomorrow, specifically an oral swab. I have taken methylphenidate for ADHD. Could this medication lead to a false positive result for a similar illegal substance?
Answer: It depends on the test that’s being used – methylphenidate is related to amphetamines. You should bring your prescription for methylphenidate to your drug test, or a doctor’s note, to verify that you take methylphenidate for medical reasons.
My daughter is on Adderall XR 30mg. Can she take Sudafed PE for allergies?
Answer: I would not recommend she take Sudafed PE with Adderall. These two medications can be too stimulating in combination. Sudafed PE is for congestion. It does not treat allergies. For allergies, she would be better off using an antihistamine, which will treat her allergies without causing drowsiness, and is safe to take with Adderall. You should always talk to your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter medication so they can help you choose the best one for your symptoms.
My son is getting blurred vision in school during PE while taking 52mg of Concerta for ADHD. He just went up in his dosage yesterday. He is 14 years old. His doctor said it's not serious, but I'm worried.
Answer: Concerta can cause visual disturbances as a side effect in some people. If your son is having side effects from his medication, or has developed a new symptom, you should talk to the prescriber who can examine him and determine the cause of his blurred vision.
Can Adderall cause nausea?
Answer: Yes, Adderall can cause nausea as a side effect. Taking the Adderall with food might help combat nausea. But if it continues or is really bothersome, you should talk to your healthcare provider.
Can you take Adderall with clonidine?
Answer: There are no dangerous interactions between Adderall and clonidine. But whether or not they work well together would depend on why you are using the clonidine. I would need more information about your condition to assist you. If you have concerns about your medication you should talk to your healthcare provider.
My son has taken two different generic brands of Adderall. On one of them (dextroamp-Amphet ER 15mg CGLO) he seems down and his behavior is not normal. He has also been on amphetamine salts ER 15mg CAP. Are there differences with the two drugs, and could they affect his behavior and his mood?
Answer: Both of those medications are the same and contain the same active ingredients. Many factors play a role in someone’s mood and behavior. If your son exhibits any drastic changes in his mood or behavior, you should contact his physician. It is possible for people to respond differently to 2 different versions of the same medication, and if you notice differences, you need to discuss it with his healthcare provider.
After starting Concerta, how long should it take before we start seeing improvements in my child’s behavior?
Answer: You should start seeing improvements almost immediately, within the first few days of use. However, you may not see complete improvement for up to one month. If you do not see any improvement within the first month of treatment, you should speak to your child’s healthcare provider to re-evaluate how to treat the condition.
Is it OK to take ADHD medication, like Adderall, with an SSRI, like Prozac or Lexapro?
Answer: Yes, it is OK to take Adderall with Lexapro or Prozac. Both Adderall and SSRIs, like Prozac and Lexapro, increase your levels of serotonin, a chemical in your brain that affects your mood. Taking them together can increase these levels too much, and your doctor should be monitoring you for severe changes in your mood, heart rate, and blood pressure. If monitored properly, you should be fine.
What does “XR” after a medication name mean?
Answer: XR indicates that it is extended release, meaning the medication is slowly released into your system. This is used to either maintain steady drug levels throughout the day, or to make the medicine work for a longer period of time.
My daughter has ADHD and takes Vyvanse 30. She also started taking birth control pills last year. Now she is having extended (10 day) and frequent (bi-monthly) periods. Could this be a side effect of drug interaction?
Answer: There are no reported interactions between Vyvanse and birth control pills. Anytime a woman is experiencing changes in her menstrual cycle she should consult her gynecologist.
Can you take Adderall and amoxicillin together?
Answer: Yes, there are no reported drug interactions between amoxicillin and Adderall, and they can be taken together safely.
My twin sons (age 7) were just prescribed Vyvanse 30mg, 1/day, Risperdal 0.25mg, 2/day, and clonidine 0.1mg, 1/night. Are these medications safe to be used together?
Answer: Whenever you have prescriptions filled, your pharmacist will screen for potentially dangerous drug interactions, which is why it is very important to have all your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. There are no significant interactions reported for the three medications.
If you’re on Adderall XR, can you take a pain medication as well?
Answer: To answer this question I would need to know which pain medication you would be taking. It is important to consult with your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medication that you are going to use for pain relief.
Can my 5-year-old son be put on nitrous oxide to have his cavities filled while he is currently taking 20mg of Adderall twice daily, and 4mg of Risperdal, also twice daily?
Answer: Yes, your son can safely inhale nitrous oxide while taking Adderall and Risperdal. There are no interactions. However, it is a good idea to alert the dentist that your son is taking these medications. You should always tell all the healthcare professionals you see what medications you use so they can take the best care of you.
I was just recently diagnosed with adult ADHD and was prescribed Adderall XR. This prescription is very expensive. I am laid off at the moment, and husband is disabled. So I don't have prescription medication insurance. Is there a program or something that exists to help me pay for the script? I was also prescribed Nexium for acid reflux, and again, can't afford it.
Answer: Adderall XR is an extended release formulation, which is usually given once daily, and is available as a generic. Generics are less expensive than brand name products. To save money, you might want to talk to your doctor about generic Adderall, which is not extended release and needs to be taken 2-3 times daily. Talk to your prescriber to see if a trial of the generic of Adderall is right for you.
Concerning the Nexium, you should talk to your doctor about substituting it with over-the-counter omeprazole. It works the same way as Nexium and can save you some money. Your pharmacist is a great resource for information on how you can save money on medications.
What is the difference between Adderall and Ritalin?
Answer: Adderall and Ritalin are ly related drugs that help with the symptoms of ADHD. However, they work in slightly different ways in the brain.
I am taking Adderall 20mg twice daily. Can this medication make my hands and feet swell and cause severe joint pain in my hands? I also take MS Contin 15mg three times daily for back pain. Could this medication be contributing to the problem?
Answer: Adderall is not associated with the side effects you mentioned. MS Contin may cause swelling of the hands and feet as a side effect. However, it is not associated with causing joint pain. I suggest you talk to your healthcare professional if you are having symptoms that are bothersome.
Does Vyvanse have a generic?
Answer: No, Vyvanse is not yet available as a generic. Adderall, which is very similar to Vyvanse, is available as a generic. You may want to talk to your physician about whether it would be a good alternative for you if you are looking to save money on your medication.
Can you take Celexa and Adderall at the same time?
Answer: Yes, it is OK to take Adderall with Celexa together. Both Adderall and Celexa increase your levels of serotonin, a chemical in your brain that affects your mood. Taking them together can increase these levels too much, and your doctor should be monitoring you for severe changes in your mood, heart rate, and blood pressure. If monitored properly, you should be fine.
Is it OK to take both Tenex and Vyvanse?
Answer: Yes, it is OK to take Tenex and Vyvanse. There are no known drug interactions. It is important to always have your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy so that the pharmacist can properly screen for all drug interactions.
My daughter is 23-year-old college student, taking Adderall for ADHD, and clonazapam and citalopram for anxiety and depression. Can this combination of meds cause emotional outbursts?
Answer: Emotional outbursts can occur in people taking Adderall and citalopram. If your daughter is having outbursts or experiencing any other changes in her mood or behavior, she should consult her healthcare professional.
Is it safe for an adult to take Valium while taking Concerta?
Answer: Yes, it is safe to take Valium while using Concerta. There are no known drug interactions between them. It is important to always have your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy so that the pharmacist can properly screen for any potentially dangerous drug interactions.
My son is taking Vyvanse 30mg, once a day. Can I give him pain reliever with acetaminophen for a fever?
Answer: Yes, it is safe to take acetaminophen with Vyvanse. There are no drug interactions. You should always ask your pharmacist before taking any over the counter medication to be sure it is right for you.
Is it OK to mix the following medications: 60mg Strattera, 60mg Prozac, 40mg lisinopril and 12.5mg hydrochlorothiazide?
Answer: Strattera may decrease the lisinopril and HCTZ’s ability to lower your blood pressure, as it may cause high blood pressure as a side effect. With proper monitoring of your blood pressure, your doctor should be able to manage it. It is important to have regular follow-ups with your doctor so he/she can monitor your condition and to have all your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy so all the proper screenings can occur.
If I'm taking prescription Adderall XR, will a drug test show positive for amphetamines or methamphetamines?
Answer: Yes. Adderall contains amphetamines and will test positive on a drug test. You should bring your prescription or a doctor’s note with you to the test to verify that you are using Adderall for medical reasons.
Can I take a non-stimulant ADHD medication in addition to Vyvanse?
Answer: There are a few ADHD medications classified as non-stimulants – Intuniv and Strattera are two of these. Before you combining medications to treat a condition, you should really talk to your healthcare professional, as everyone’s condition is different.
If a non-stimulant medication was prescribed to you, I would want to be sure the prescriber was aware of the fact that you are already taking Vyvanse. If one medication is not treating your symptoms adequately, you should talk to your healthcare provider about your options.
My 25-year-old son has taken Ritalin, Concerta, and is now taking Adderall 60mg a day. He would like to come off the drug, but he's worried he won't be able to control his ADHD with a non-stimulant. What drug is most like Adderall, but less strong?
Answer: I would suggest that your son talk to his healthcare provider. Everyone responds differently to medications, and finding the right one sometimes takes quite a bit of trial and error.
There are many treatment options for ADHD, and it is important for him to share all of his concerns about his condition and medications with his health care provider who can help him find the best way to treat his condition.
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