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

*From the FDA site re: interactions with Adderall XR
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.