What Happens When You Combine Adderall and Caffeine? – Energy Boost or Dangerous Combo

We are all aware of the infamous attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or also known as ADHD. From the wide range of medicines available for treating this disorder, Adderall is the most preferred one. It helps in boosting Dopamine release and also prevents reabsorption to make a person active. But in recent days, it has been noticed that people with ADHD are combining Adderall with Caffeine as a way to decrease their symptoms. Since Caffeine is easily available and even easier to use, and is also known for making people feel refreshed, more and more people are leaning towards this combination. But it’s important to be aware of all the risks the combination of Adderall and Caffeine possesses before moving forward.

If you or any of your loved ones are dealing with ADHD and are thinking of combining these substances, then this blog is the perfect place to answer all your queries. We will be answering certain questions, like can you mix Adderall and Caffeine? What are the potential side effects of combining Adderall and Caffeine? And what happens when you mix Caffeine and Adderall?

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a mixture of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts that helps in dealing with ADHD and narcolepsy. Both these salts are central nervous system stimulants that make the body hyperactive. Amphetamine mainly raises the level of Norepinephrine and Dopamine and prevents them from getting reabsorbed, which helps the body to remain active. Adderall is available in extended-release (XR) capsules and immediate-release (IR) tablets, and can be taken with or without food and water. Along with treating ADHD and narcolepsy, Adderall is also used as a performance enhancer by athletes, to reduce appetite, and as a cognitive enhancer.

Adderall, being a stimulant, produces certain side effects in people who use it. Let’s look into those side effects.

• Restlessness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Hallucination
• Paranoia
• Visual changes

In addition to these short-term effects, several long-term effects, like liver and brain injury, heart attack, and stroke, are also seen in certain cases.

What is Caffeine?

Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in tea, coffee, and cacao plants. It helps the body stay alert and continue functioning throughout the day. Caffeine is believed to increase cortisol and adrenaline in the body, which makes the body feel active and refreshed. The effect of this stimulant is noticed within 5 minutes of taking it and can last up to 12 hours.

There are certain negative impacts on the body of people having regular intake of caffeine. Excess and regular use of Caffeine can make the body dependent on the drug and leave your body in a state of craving for more. The adverse effects of Caffeine include:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Increased urination
• Agitation
• Tachycardia
• Gastrointestinal irritation

Can You Take Caffeine and Adderall Together?

Caffeine is already known to increase alertness and make the body active, and Adderall can cause restlessness in people. It can be imagined from this how harmful Adderall and Caffeine interaction can be. Combining Adderall and Caffeine also has a high risk of causing insomnia, which would give rise to various other side effects. In case you are under the prescription of Adderall, try to limit the intake of caffeine. Do not ever try to take Adderall medication while having Caffeine, such as coffee. If you are using Adderall for other purposes, such as addiction, then cutting down on Caffeine won’t matter much. So, try to stick only to the prescribed dose of the drug.

Side Effects of Combining Adderall With Caffeine

There is a wide range of side effects that our body shows if you are trying to mix these substances in the hope of staying focused throughout the day. The signs that our body shows are:

• Upset stomach
• Anxiety
• Headache
• Weight loss
• Dizziness

All of the above-mentioned effects are primarily the result of insomnia that is developed in the individual who tries to take the mixture of both these substances. Heart disease, an increase in blood pressure, and anxiety are some of the more severe effects that can happen to the individual in the long run if they do not stop intake.

What Are The Other Drugs That Combine With Adderall and Caffeine?

Apart from being unsuitable to be mixed with each other, there are certain other drugs to look out for if you are prescribed Adderall and are addicted to Caffeine. If combined, these can result in interaction and cause harm to the body. Let’s see those drugs.

Drugs that interact with Adderall

• Bupropion
• Cymbalta
• Lexapro
• Prozac
• Tramadol
• Zoloft
• Omeprazole
• Levothyroxine
• Propranolol
• Melatonin
• Wellbutrin
• Xanax

Drug Interaction of Caffeine

• Adderall
• Aspirin
• Cymbalta
• Wellbutrin
• Xanax
• Zinc
• Zoloft
• Paracetamol
• Alcohol
• Benadryl

Always look out for these combinations and try not to mix anything by yourself. Contact the doctor immediately if you have accidentally taken any of the mixture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Caffeine Affect ADHD Medication?

Caffeine can worsen the symptoms of ADHD by affecting the sleeping schedule, which makes the individual feel restless, anxious, and depressed. It starts acting as a stimulant and intensifies the effect of the medicine. Some people find Caffeine helpful for ADHD because it improves focus and concentration, making individuals more focused on their day-to-day activities. But remember that medicines like Adderall should only be taken for treating ADHD and should not be completely replaced with Caffeine.

How Much Caffeine Is Safe With Adderall?

If you take Adderall and drink coffee on the same day, there is no harmful effect that will affect your body. Just try to maintain an appropriate gap between the two substances to avoid any adverse reaction. It is also highly advisable to reduce the amount of Caffeine intake per day if you are being prescribed stimulants. Since Adderall takes almost 3 days to get completely removed from the body, your maximum Caffeine for the day must be under 100 mg per day.

Conclusion

We can conclude that it’s better to stick with the Adderall for your ADHD and try not to mix any other drugs with Adderall. Use a limited amount of Caffeine if you are on Adderall and try not to overconsume it. It’s best to discuss in detail with your physician regarding your condition and stick to their instructions strictly.