Coffee and ADHD medication? | ADHD Information

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Hey guys,

I doc just started me on 18mgs of Concerta. Do you know if coffee or
other caffienated beverages can be taken with ADHD meds? or should I
just avoid it? Thanks.[QUOTE=LoriT]

I was told by my APRN that caffine can potentiate the action of any medication as much as 50%. I usually wait an hour post dose of Adderall be fore having my morning coffee and make my afternoon coffee with less kick. (Tried decaf, but I still needed the caffine to get going)

[/QUOTE]

I believe that part to be true from experience. I am on 18mg of Concerta and bellieve I need a higher dose, However, If I have 2 - 3 cans of soda during the day, I find that I am more focused, energetic and able to get done what needs to be done. Granted, I think it adds back a bit of hyperactivity, but that does not inhibit what I do... My main problem is inattentiveness.

Sherry

Caffeine itself should not reduce absorption of an ADHD medicine, but coffee and sodas can lead to increased production of stomach acid, resulting in decreased absorption of ADHD medicines. So, if you need the caffeine with less stomach irritation or acid production, go with 1/2 No-Doz (100mg caffeine). Alternately, try low acid coffee, e.g., puroast. Too much caffeine may increase metabolism and make long-acting stimulants shorter acting.

I was told by my APRN that caffine can potentiate the action of any medication as much as 50%. I usually wait an hour post dose of Adderall be fore having my morning coffee and make my afternoon coffee with less kick. (Tried decaf, but I still needed the caffine to get going)

  I'm on 54 mg's of Concerta and noticed that it does give me more of a perk especially if I drink coffee (I'm in no way giving up my coffee), but the drug alone gives me a boost but not to the point where I'm 'Geeked' out or feel out of control. I have the inattentive type of ADD ,and Concerta has given me the energy I needed to want to do more. If properly perscribed (I feel I have been), Concerta works wonders.I asked both my doctor and the pharmacist and they both said caffeine could make you more hyper or jittery, but that it does not affect absorption. I'm also unable to find anything on the Internet (except for this messageboard!) that says anything about the two. For those who claim caffeine does inhibit absorption, where are you getting this information? Thanks!I had asked my Dr. that very same question. He had commented that I could have coffee if I wanted, but it would be better for my blood pressure if i could reduce my caffiene intake or just go decaf.   Either way, it was my choice.. I found I really don't miss the caffiene, the decaf was ok for me since the concerta wakes me up a bit without feeling jittery or hyper. ( coffee got me a bit on the extra cheerful Hyper side )I 'd swear that either DavidOrnado or johnnyboi said that caffeine inhibits or reduces the absorption of the ADHD medicine . . .that's why I'm an extra pain in the as* @ Starbucks, now--asking for decaf.  Is this true--ANYone?