adderal XR and Klonopin

[PatMesser]

Hi.I'm Pat and new to the board but I read a post that bothered me.I have recently started taking Adderal XR but I also take Klonopin for severe insomnia.The post said that the klonopin would cancel out the ADDERAL.Is this correct? Maybe this is why I haven't noticed any change except that I act like a witch at times.If it wasn't for the klonopin I wouldn't sleep at all.What do you guys suggest? Thanks in advance for your help. Pat

[Ian]

Welcome Pat.
What did your doctor say? My pharmasist is a good resouce on questions like this.

That's one of the beauties of hanging out here though is the things you learn are amazing. I hope you get it sorted out soon. Post back with your results please.

Too tired to write properly.. must sleep.. ;^)

Cheers! Ian.

[Gregster]

The two drugs - Klonopin and Adderal do not cancel each other out - not physically or chemically, at least. Klonopin is a benzodiazipine it works on the neurotransmitter GABA, whereas Adderal is an amphetamine and works on the neutrotranmitters dopamine and noradrenaline. All of these neurotranmitters are interconnected in complicated ways that science only understands in a fairly rudimentary way. The effects - how the drugs make you feel - do cancel out in some areas - Klonopin is a CNS depressant and Adderal is a CNS stimulant - Klonopin makes you sleepy and Adderal keeps you awake - Klonopin reduces anxiety whereas Adderal can make you more anxious - but this "cancelling" is not necessarily equal or universal - you may find that you can sleep if you take Klonopin at night and you can focus when you take the Adderal during the day. In cases like this you have to try it and see how it works. It's a good idea to ask your Dr lots of questions about the medication he's suggesting - it's good to know the reasoning behind his choices! I often ask the phamacist for a photocopy of the page from his Compendium (PDR in the USA, or the drug "PI"sheet) for the drug I've been prescribed, just so I can look up any information the Dr didn't have time to tell me about.

So how does the Klonopin/Adderal combo work for you? Lots of insomniacs here would be interested to know.
Regards,
Greg

[PatMesser]

Thank's Greg,for your reply. My Dr. gave me the Klonopin because I asked for it,I had taken it in the past and it worked.Since I started back on the Klonopin,I am sleeping but I can't tell a big difference with the Adderall xr 10 mgs.I'm going to stay on it awhile longer and see if it helps.I just wanted to make sure that the Klonopin wasn't keeping the Adderall from working.

[Gregster]

You may need to adjust the dosage of the Adderall. 10mg is not a lot. It'll be enough for some and not enough for others. How much you need will also depend on your weight - generally the bigger your are the more you will need. Doctors will start you off slowly since taking more than you need is counter productive.
Regards,
Greg

[Tara]

Actually stimulants are not affected by a person's weight. Strattera is the only AD/HD medication in which the dosage should adjusted based on weight. This is a mis-conception by many MDs out there.

[PatMesser]

So do you two think that it IS ok to take the two together?

[Gregster]

Sure, it's OK. Your Dr wouldn't give you both if he/she thought it was a bad combination. The effectiveness of the combo is for you to decide - do you feel better off with the two together? If not, then something should be changed.
Regards,
Greg

[Andrew]

Ultimately, after your doctor & pharmacist rule out any potential drug/drug interactions, YOU are the best judge of what (combination of) meds work best for YOU.

[PatMesser]

I'm will check with my Pharmacist on this. I just haven't noticed a difference since starting the Adderall xr except for being very agitated. Thanks for all of your help.I really appreciate it. Pat