Maybe it's because you're negating the effects of your meds with caffeine? It's literally the first thing a psychiatrist tells you. At least they should. It's also clearly stated in the package insert. Why is everyone here taking meds and caffeine at the same time? I feel like dog shit when I do that. I drink my coffee in the evening when the meds have worn off. That also helps getting rid of some of the rebound effects.
Sure, but this observation assumes I am a smart man. I might not be.
Haha, fair enough! I'm pumping big words now, but I've just started medication at 42 years old. I bet I'll be chugging coffee and energy drinks along with my meds soon enough.
Welcome to the club of late diagnosis, got mine + meds in January this year at 34 years old, even though my doctor's notes from my childhood all very clearly pointed to ADHD but my dad doesn't believe in psychology (and didn't want to accept that his kid is "insane" as he put it :D)
You assume:
To date I’ve encountered around three dozen people on ADHD meds (coworkers and friends) who take or have taken their medication with caffeine and were never told not to. Those no longer taking them together learned the hard way after their hearts almost jumped out of their chests. This is anecdotal evidence; your experiences may vary.
Research appears to vary wildly regarding: how many people actually read the pamphlets; and how much of the pamphlet is read on average by those who do read it. Depending on the layout of this information, the disclaimers on what not to do when taking the meds may not even be reached. Speed readers and inattentive types probably don’t even register or see those items. I’d even bet that most ADHD medication users forget that the pamphlets exist!
I don't think that applies to ADHD related medication in general. Pehaps to stimulant-based ones? Do you have any references on it?
The reply is a bit late, but I take Medikinet Adult (Methylphenidate) and both my psychiatrist and psychotherapist warned me to not take these meds with other stimulants, including caffeine. It also says so in the pamphlet.
Thanks!
Interestingly I can't find any such mention in the database of drugs sold locally. Closest I've seen was interaction warning for methylphenidate with alpha2 agonist medication. Which caffeine isn't but such agonist would have indirect effect on adenosine which is the same thing caffeine primarily affects. But the warning wasn't about effectiveness but about safety.
I'll have to look up actual studies on it later. If I remember. :-)
What was the constant warning across stimulant medications that I've seen is about anything which affects blood pressure and heart rate, as safety concern. And caffeine would fall under that given sufficient dosage.
Something that sucks but still helps me is taking caffeine breaks. I feel like ass during them but by the time I get to that point I don't really feel much from what I think could reasonably be considered an alarming amount of caffeine, after a few to many days I'll have some again and I get some benefit from it. Or at least don't feel quite so crappy.
Currently on week three of my ongoing break, mostly to lower tolerance as well. I like its effect but once you get too used to it, it loses the appeal...
The lighter side of ADHD
