medication, ADHD and orange juice | ADHD Information

Wow, this is really interesting ... is there a reference for methylphenidate and acidifying agents anywhere?

DS takes his med (and vitamins!!) with o.j. every morning, and some morning can be LONG before the meds kick in ... hmmmm.

ok, I also heard if you take something else it helps with meds or something like that.Coffee, I think.Can anyone point me to a trustworthy link.

thanks Gaffers

RXList (at: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/adderallxr_ad.htm ) doesn't list precautions for Ritilan regarding substances that increase or decrease absorption but provides examples for Adderall XR (assume same for all amphetemine-based adhd meds). This indicates that fruits and fruit juices (or anything high in Vitiman C (ascorbic acid) slows med absorption. I take my vitamins in the evening to avoid interference with meds.

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DRUG INTERACTIONS

Acidifying agents -Gastrointestinal acidifying agents (guanethidine, reserpine, glutamic acid HCl, ascorbic acid, etc.) lower absorption of amphetamines.

Urinary acidifying agents -These agents (ammonium chloride, sodium acid phosphate, etc.) increase the concentration of the ionized species of the amphetamine molecule, thereby increasing urinary excretion. Both groups of agents lower blood levels and efficacy of amphetamines.

Alkalinizing agents -Gastrointestinal alkalinizing agents (sodium bicarbonate, etc.) increase absorption of amphetamines. Co-administration of ADDERALL XRŽ and gastrointestinal alkalinizing agents, such as antacids, should be avoided.

thanks, I appreciate your help.

Gaffers

My child hates orange juice but will eat an orange never thought of this. The good part is no big deal for she only eats them in the evenings bedtime snack.

That is correct. You cannot drink orange juice. What it does is it speeds up the medication so it will shorten the coverage time period, which is pretty self defeating in my opinion.

All citrus does that for some reason with these meds. Grapefruit, orange, etc.

I know I read soemwhere about taking orange jucie with meds and it counter acts it.Can anyone point me in the right direction.

thanks,

Gaffers

[QUOTE=Gaffers]

I know I read soemwhere about taking orange jucie with meds and it counter acts it.Can anyone point me in the right direction.

thanks,

Gaffers

[/QUOTE] This is all interesting. My son's psychiatrist recommends orange juice to help him if there is ever a "come down" effect when the meds wear off. She also recommended it during the time period when we were trying to figure out his best dose. If ever it seemed he was a bit over dosed, I gave him a few oundces of OJ and it made him feel better. Chocolate too.

so, I think its worth looking into. But we need biased information. Something that's quantifiable.

Cathy

big hug , thanks for the help.

I found this on NAMI's site ... http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=About_Medications&a mp;Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=51&a mp;ContentID=34826

What should I avoid while taking methylphenidate or dexmethylphenidate?

You should not drink alcohol or take illegal drugs while taking methylphenidate or dexmethylphenidate.

Avoid taking other stimulant medications such as mixed amphetamine salts, dextroamphetamine, diet pills (eg. sibutramine, phentermine), stimulant herbal supplements (eg. guarana, bitter orange), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg. phenelzine, tranylcypromine).

The absorption of methylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate can be reduced if strong organic acids are present in the gut. The following foods should be avoided for 1 hour before and for two hours after taking methylphenidate or dexmethylphenidate medication: citrus fruit, citrus juices, sodas/carbonated beverages, lemonade, Gatorade, vitamins/food and food supplements containing vitamin C.