As you may or may not be aware, Adderall and vitamin C can interact with each other. The primary issue for this drug interaction involves an alteration of Adderall’s gastrointestinal absorption. Having a more acidic gut environment can reduce the absorption of Adderall. Here’s my take on the Adderall vitamin C interaction and some questions I would be sure to address.
In my experience, the clinical significance of the interaction is low. I say that because I have never seen an issue come up in practice. I do admit that it may be overlooked because if the patient is not clinically responding, the provider prescribing the Adderall may just increase the dose to potentially even out the interaction.
The very first thing I would assess is how the patient is doing. If symptoms of ADHD or whatever diagnosis we are managing are under control, most will not go any further than this. If the patient is not responding to the Adderall as anticipated, this would definitely be a red flag to look for this and other drug interactions.
Information To Review
Another key question to inquire about is the patient’s lifestyle and or risk for supplement or dietary changes. Volatile changes in vitamin C intake could potentially lead to more of a yo-yo type effect with Adderall drug concentrations. We want to avoid this, so when patients are stabilized, it would be a good idea to remind them that alterations in vitamin C intake could reduce Adderall concentrations.
Another key indicator that you should as about the Adderall and vitamin C drug interaction would be frequent dose changes in the Adderall. If you have access to prescription records and you note that doses have changed frequently or have been escalated over time, this may be an indicator that the vitamin C intake of the patient may be variable.
Adderall and Vitamin C Timing
Would I forbid vitamin C supplementation in a patient taking Adderall? Most patients who are eating a regular diet will get enough vitamin C, so I would likely steer them away from using it. If they want to take a supplement, I’d recommend that they try to space it out. Since most patients take Adderall in the morning to minimize the risk of insomnia, I’d typically have the patient take the vitamin C later in the day. This is one of the many drug/food interactions that I have covered in my recent Amazon Best Seller – Meded101 Guide to Drug Food Interactions.
What did I miss and what other drug interactions would you like me to cover?
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- 18+ Page Drug Interaction PDF
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