Serotonin Syndrome? | ADHD Information
I just went to Walgreens to get my Lexapro 10 mg refilled and the pharmacist said that there is a danger when mixing that with the Adderall (XL @ 10mg/day). He said it can cause something called Serotonin Syndrome which, btw, doesn't sound like a lot of fun! Now I don't have any of the symptoms but he said that it can occur anytime into the treatment.
So I'm thinking maybe I won't take my Lexapro until I see my doctor again on the 20th of this month.
Anyone know anything about this??
I'm also going to cross-post this in ADDForums.com.
Thanks!
. . . Kim
Kim,
I've read about this "Serotonin Syndrome" and Adderall is not on the list of drugs that could have an interaction with SSRIs. I only saw MAOIs, which are toxice to combine with most drugs anyway. I don't think you have anything to worry about.
Cheeky
Actually Cheeky, amphetamines in general is listed. I guess amphetamines create an increase in serotonin in the brain.
Here is a link to a PDF file that talks about it:
http://uuhsc.utah.edu/poison/healthpros/utox/Vol4_No4.pdf
I also saw on other sites as well that list amphetamines mixed with SSRI's as a cause of it. Man, it sure was a surprise to me! 
I also found an article that talked about a guy who was taking Dexadrine for ADHD and Effexor that ended up with this.
So I think I'm staying off the Lexapro until the 20th when I talk to my doc. The interesting thing, though, is that I wanted to get off of it anyways since I have to pay a month for it cuz it's not one of my insurances "approved" drugs. And I also discovered that, surprisingly, Adderall has actually *decreased* my anxiety which is what I'm on the Lexapro for. My doc thought for sure the Add3erall would increase my anxiety. Surprise surprise! 
Must be a Walgreens thing. I took my Adderall prescription there and the pharmacist tried to convince me to ask my doctor for Strattera instead. He kept emphasizing that Strattera was a non-stimulant. I said "I LIKE the stimulant effect." That shut him up.
While this pharmacist may be knowledgeable about drugs in general, he had NO knowledge of my medical or prescription history. I thought it was very arrogant and irresponsible of him to purport to know what was best for me. I didn't say anything at the time because I was so dumbfounded and at a loss for words. Next time I encounter this attitude though - watch out! :-)
Every month for the past six months, at least, the Walgreens pharmacist has 'consulted' me about the combination of Adderall and Lexapro. I've never voiced my request that the consults are not needed. I guess I have been sensitive about being viewed as godknowswhat, but next month, I can't wait to voice my wishes/instructions. Especially since most of what I have found on the internet regarding 'serotonin syndrome' is either dated or has possibly a political agenda of anti-medication for treatment of ADHD and/or depression.
My prediction is that I'll be moving my RX's to CVS.
I ended up talking to my psych about it and she was just appalled that the pharmacist told me that. She said there's just no way that would happen. Especially the low doses I am on.
It's now been a year since I've been on both these meds (I don't know if you noticed the date these messages were posted) and they are working great! Still at 10 mg Lexapro, 10 mg Adderall XR and 300 mg Wellbutrin. While sometimes I feel like I am a "prescription junkie" I just look past that and realize how great I feel these days.
Speaking of lot's of prescriptions . . . I went to the drug store last month with my new scripts from the doc, the 3 mentioned above and one for Xanax (which I take very rarely but are nice to have when needed). The pharmacist commented "geez, you have a book there!" Like I don't sometimes feel bad enough about all these meds . . . I didn't need that comment. He's always been very nice to me in the past and continues to be but I'm not sure what was up with that comment. Maybe it was just me taking it way too personally. I've been going there for a long time and see them every month so maybe they just feel comfortable to joke around with me. Maybe it was just PMS for me that day. 