I've seen a few threads mention when to take adderall and what to avoid. The most common reccomendations I've seen are: take it on an empty stomach, avoid vitamin C when taking it, and avoid lots of caffeine when taking it as well.

1. What have you found to work or not work when taking adderall in terms of food or drink?

2. Is this based upon personal experience, research, or doctor's advice?

Just curious as I am starting to take Adderall, it's working well, but I just wanted to make sure that my diet would not interfere in the future.

Food definitely interfers with the effectiveness of the medication for me....the higher fat or acid the meal is when taken around the time of Adderall, the worse the interference. Aim to take Adderall at least 2 hours after your last meal, and dont each much for at least 2 hours after if you can. To get the most of it, at least...

Definitely stay away from Vitamin C (or anything acid) when in the time radius^^ of taking Adderall. (watch your multi-vitamin if u take one too...)

Caffenine *may* make you a little more wired, or it might not have any effect.

Baking Soda or Tums is helpful taken 30 min before Adderall to boost absorbtion...not a huge effect.

Try to get at least one large meal in during the day.,..because Adderall will supress your appetite even after the theraputic effects have worn off (3-5 hours). And your metabolic system is sped up a bit when taking Adderall...therefore your body is using up more energy stores than usual, hence burning calories quicker. So it is VERY important to try and get the most adequete nutrition as possible...

Thanks for the heads up. I find that caffiene does affect me more. Sheesh, the first day I took Ritalin I had a huge cup of coffee - WOW - it wasn't good. The Adderall acts the same way with coffee. I thought if I took Adderal on an empty stomach it would bother my stomach more. I take it on a full stomach. That is wrong? My tum is very sensitive and I get heartburn.

Thanks for the info!

Lynne

yes, me also. caffeine makes me feel sick and jittery.

I usually try to take my Adderall (30mg XR) after I eat a big meal. If I take it before I eat, then I won't eat as much. I found that if I take it on an empty stomach, I won't eat much at all for the entire day. Also, taking it on an empty stomach makes me feel like the medicine "hits" me too hard/fast. I prefer to take it with a large meal because I feel the effects much more mildly/smoothly. That's just my personal experience though. Always follow your doctor's suggestions. :)

I have a question, vitamin C is pretty much in anything, and is good for your immune system, isnt not consuming a good amount pretty much putting us at risk for catching colds faster... I kind of hate it because i stay away from vitamin C and iv gotten sick three times so far this year. lol

Just take all your Vitamin C Supplements at night. That should keep you covered.

Just take all your Vitamin C Supplements at night. That should keep you covered.
do something to remind yourself! i know that i always always always forget to take my multivitamin when the meds have worn off.

I have recently started taking Adderall and found that I feel better if I make sure to eat a nice lunch.

My doc has not prescribed two doses per day yet but I know that I will need to have a second dose after lunch or I get that time of the day, 2:00-4:00 pm when I get very tired to the point where I have a difficult time staying awake. (NOT GOOD WHILE DRIVING)!

Anyway, I feel much better on Adderall if I force myself to eat, especially healthy things like more fruit and veggies.

I posted this on another thread.
My doc gave me a list of things to avoid 1 hour prior and 1 hour after the dose of stimulant meds.

Fruit juices
Gatorade
Granola bars
High-vitamin cereals
Lemonade
Oral supspension anitbiotics
Pop-Tarts
Powerbars
Soft drinks, colas
Vitamins containing vitamin C
Products with citric acid.

I have a question, vitamin C is pretty much in anything, and is good for your immune system, isnt not consuming a good amount pretty much putting us at risk for catching colds faster... I kind of hate it because i stay away from vitamin C and iv gotten sick three times so far this year. lol
Check out my previous post. Avoid the "C" one hour before and one hour after taking stims. After that, don't worry about it, take it.

I can't imagine not taking vitamins on a regular basis especially while taking stims. You just won't get the proper nutrition without them, IMO...

The food/acid interactions are overstated. In drug trials there was very little diffance with/without food consumption. Vitamin C and other acids simply increase clearance time but it would be much better to up your dose or add a dose (SR tab for those on XR) than skip or avoid your food/vitamins. As always results will very. With an empty stomic you may hit peak plasma faster I supose but it's not real short acting drug anyway.

Admitedly I have had problems getting enough calories early in the day. I get those costco meal shakes (generic slim fast) and have a cliff bar or balance bar for breakfest on the way to work in the car. I would recomend this for people who have problems eating durring the day. With a shake you can get alot of callories fast. Most ADD people need more protien or at least a good callorie balance of carbs/protien/fat. Pretzels and nuts and things you can eat throughout the day are also good. Your meds will work better also when you have food in you. Your brain needs glucose to function.

Interesting list, stevie. I've never heard of avoiding gatorade, pop-tarts, granola bars, high vitamin cereal, or powerbars. All the others (juices with vitamin C/ citric acid) make sense to me. Any explaination for these others? Anyone?

Instead of coffee in the morning I used to drink mt. dew. My doctor said that the citric acid in the Mt. Dew reduces the effectiveness of adderall. She didn't say anything about vitamin C. Actually I'm pretty sure that it says not to take it with anything acidic right on the pamphelet. And caffine well DUH. If you want your heart at 100bpm then sure slug it down with some coffee but expect to wear yourself down. No ones heart should beat that fast at rest. It is self induced tachycardia.

And caffine well DUH. If you want your heart at 100bpm then sure slug it down with some coffee but expect to wear yourself down. No ones heart should beat that fast at rest. It is self induced tachycardia.Personally, Jane - I am a newbie (diagnosed 3 months ago) and did not know this.

I appreciate everyone's wisdom as I am JUST getting started on this road.

what I've learned to do, is eat, but just normally. I would not change diet so drastically u feel bad.

Plenty of water, to help with sleep and countless other stuff.

More water than what is usually drunken


good bye, good luck