Does Vitamin C neutralize ADHD medication? When diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the first-line treatment is typically stimulant medication. Stimulants are prescription medications that increase the concentration of neurotransmitters low in the ADHD brain.
When taking medications, we should be aware of drug interactions that may occur. But what about the impact of food and nutritional supplements? After all, some doctors suggest taking ADHD medications away from acidic drinks and citrus fruits.
So, let’s dive into the research and answer the question, “Does vitamin C neutralize ADHD medication?”
ADHD
ADHD is considered a neurodevelopmental condition with primary challenges in executive functioning. Some suggest that a core feature of ADHD is poor performance monitoring.
Any parent of an ADHD child can agree that getting their child to “slow down” to avoid careless mistakes is common.
One of the benefits of ADHD medication is to improve inhibitory control and error monitoring by increasing activity in the part of the brain responsible for error detection.
Seek Professional Medical Advice
This is NOT medical advice. I’m not a doctor, but an educator with a passion for researching, learning, health, and supporting the neurodivergent community. As such, this is for educational purposes only. I encourage you to learn as much as you can by learning, reading, and seeking the insight of multiple experts. Please discuss your healthcare decisions with a trusted healthcare provider.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin found naturally in citrus fruits such as grapefruit juice. When something is water-soluble, it easily dissolves in water.
Human beings cannot make Vitamin C naturally which means that it’s an essential vitamin that must be consumed each day to stay in the body. Further, it works to support the immune system in several different ways.
Benefits of Vitamin C
Benefits of Vitamin C include:
- Anti-oxidant protects against oxidative stress
- removes disease-causing free radicals from the body
- Simulates white blood-cell production
- Promotes collagen production and skin health
- Improves cognitive performance
- increases the efficiency of brain cell communication in the nervous system
As you can see, Vitamin C is one of the best supplements you can take to support overall health.
Types of ADHD Drugs
There are many prescription drug options for the treatment of ADHD. Most experts agree that prescription stimulants are more effective than non-stimulant medications.
Therefore, most medical professionals prescribe stimulant ADHD medications to treat difficult symptoms.
Additionally, to avoid any serious side effects, your doctor will work with you to find the lowest possible effective dose. Before we move on, however, let’s learn a bit more about these ADHD med options.
Stimulant Medications
Stimulant medications increase the concentration of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Specifically, they work to improve the availability of both dopamine and norepinephrine.
In the case of the neurotransmitter dopamine, stimulants work by blocking dopamine receptors from absorbing free-floating dopamine.
As such, this leaves more dopamine in the brain which leads to higher energy levels and improves symptoms of ADHD.
ADHD stimulant medications are broken into two general categories.
- Methylphenidates
- Amphetamines
In the United States, both medication categories are considered controlled substances. Further, both come in immediate-release and extended-release forms.
Immediate-release medications need to be taken at regular intervals throughout the day to maintain symptom relief.
On the other hand, controlled-release medications last up to 12 hours which makes remembering to take medication much easier.
Common ADHD Stimulant Medications
Common brand-name methylphenidate medications include:
- Ritalin
- Cotempla
- Quillivant
- Concerta
- Jornay
Some brand names of amphetamine-based ADHD stimulant medications include the following:
- Adderall
- Adderall XR
- Dexedrine
- Dyanavel XR
- Evekeo
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
Adderall is one of the most commonly prescribed ADHD stimulant medications prescribed.
Side Effects of Stimulants
While stimulants are considered more effective, they can have adverse effects to be aware of. Each person will experience different effects of the medications based on their dosage and physical makeup.
Some unwanted side effects to look out for:
- Appetite suppression
- Mood swings
- For example, many people struggle with irritability and weepiness during the “Adderall Comedown.”
- Rapid heartbeat
- Abdominal pain
Never take medication not prescribed to you and only take ADHD medication under medical supervision.
Further, negative side effects are typically seen at high doses. Those negative side effects can be amplified by the use of other stimulants. Because of this, be aware of your caffeine intake when taking stimulant ADHD medication.
ADHD Medication and Vitamin C
Ok. Now that we’ve got a solid background in ADHD medications, what’s the deal with Vitamin C?
Is it necessary to avoid all fruit juices when taking ADHD medications?
Stimulants are prescription medications that work to increase the concentration of specific neurotransmitters believed to be low in the ADHD brain. When taking medications, we need to be aware of drug interactions that may occur. However, it’s rare that people think about the impact of food and nutritional supplements can have on medication.
Amphetamine medications have a higher Ph and are, therefore, alkaline. This means that acidic foods in general, including vitamin C, can reduce the effectiveness of amphetamine drugs.
Higher dose Vitamin C supplements essentially increase the excretion of amphetamine medications, making them completely ineffective.
When taking amphetamine medications such as Adderall, it’s a good idea to avoid consuming Vitamin C for at least one hour before and one hour after taking your medication.
Sources of Vitamin C
Orange juice and other citrus juices aren’t the only sources of vitamin C (citric acid) to watch out for when consuming ADHD medication.
Citric acid is often hiding in several different products including your afternoon energy drink. Some acidic foods to avoid for an hour before and after taking amphetamines such as Adderall include:
- Coffee
- Acidic juices:
- Tomato juice
- Apple Juice
- Grape Juice
- Any type of citrus juice
- Orange Juice
- Lemonade
- Grapefruit
- Sodas
- Diet Coke,
- Sprite,
- Mountain Dew
The best way to avoid Vitamin C interacting with ADHD medication is to check labels.
ADHD Medication and Other Interactions
In a 2016 study, healthy adults were given Adzenys XR-ODT, one form of amphetamine stimulant. The maximum blood plasma and time to maximum plasma levels were measured.
When taken with food, both values were delayed by up to 2.5 hours. This possibly suggests that taking stimulants on an empty stomach leads to a lower duration of symptom coverage.
Additionally, over-the-counter antacid medications containing sodium bicarbonate interact with acids in the digestive system. As such, it’s important to speak with your health care provider about taking antacids with your ADHD medication.
Adderall and College Students
More and more college students are reportedly taking Adderall without a prescription. A 2018 report by the National Institute of Drug Abuse stated that up to 24% of college students engaged in illegal Adderall use.
Adderall side effects range from increased heart rate to increased blood pressure or worse. Educate kids and teens about the dangers of using medications without proper medical supervision.
Doctors are People Too
As parents, we must be informed about our health and the health of our children. Gone are the days when doctors are given god-like status to take charge of their patient’s care.
Often due to no fault of their own, doctors are unable to read the latest research and findings available. This means that they’re often less informed than their patients. And this is a good thing!
Instead of relying completely on your doctor to tell you how to care for your body, you can become an informed patient and partner with your doctor.
ADHD Brain and Your Power to Support It
Did you know that the brain burns more energy in the form of calories than any other system in the body?
Think of the mitochondria you learned about in high school biology. Remember those? The mitochondria are the “powerhouse of the cell”.
This means neurons (brain cells) are factories of energy metabolism. They’re constantly burning fuel to function optimally.
When they’re not, we get symptoms of:
- Exhaustion,
- Brain fog,
- Inattention,
- Mood swings
Also, the ADHD brain is commonly deficient in critical energy-burning building blocks such as:
So, if you or your child aren’t having success with stimulant or nonstimulant medications, there are nutrition-based alternatives you can discuss with your doctor.
Besides, Adderall, like other stimulant medications, acts as an appetite suppressant. So, it’s important to prioritize a healthy diet when you or your child do eat. So, how do you optimize your diet to enhance the use of ADHD medications or for symptom management?
ADHD Medication and Protein
Experts have been recommending that ADHD medication be taken with a good source of protein for a while now.
However, a recent study suggests that whey protein, a protein-based food made from dairy products, can improve ADHD symptoms.
A group of kids with ADHD were given a breakfast of whey protein for a 2-month period. The results of the research saw improvements in hyperactivity, attention, and focus.
It’s believed that whey protein increases the concentration of the amino acid, tryptophan, which leads to an increase in serotonin. This, in turn, leads to greater function of brain cells.
Whether you rely solely on whey protein or add protein to your daily ADHD regimen, discuss it with your doctor.
ADHD Supplements
Additionally, many other vitamins and nutrition-based supplements have been shown to support the ADHD brain.
Some of those include:
- Vitamin D3
- Rhodiola Rosea
- Green Tea
- L-Theanine
- Vitamin B Complex
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamin D3 and ADHD
For example, research has shown that Vitamin D levels in those with ADHD are typically low. In one study, researchers found a small, but significant improvement in ADHD symptoms in children taking a Vitamin D supplement.
Because of the critical role that Vitamin D3 plays in overall health, many experts recommend supplementing with a quality vitamin D3 supplement.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and ADHD
Omega-3 fatty acids, especially those with a high EPA to DHA ratio, are considered to be extremely helpful in properly regulating dopamine levels in the brain.
You may remember that dopamine is one of the main neurotransmitters lacking in the ADHD brain.
The consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids is one way to reduce chronic inflammation that impacts cognitive function.
Further, a recent randomized controlled trial reported that Omega-3 fatty acid consumption worked beautifully in combination with a lower dose of Methylphenidate.
Other Options
Natural products containing rhodiola rosea, green tea, and L-theanine are highly effective in supporting adult ADHD symptoms.
In the end, if you’re concerned about ADHD medication side effects, it’s good to know that healthy foods and nutritional supplements can make a difference.
Recap: Does Vitamin C Neutralize ADHD Medication?
When at the right dose for the right person, stimulants and non-stimulant medications can greatly improve executive function symptoms such as attention, focus, and motivation.
However, high doses of vitamin C can interfere with the absorption of prescription stimulants, making them ineffective.
So, it’s important to avoid vitamin C, vinegar (acetic acid), and other acid-based liquids an hour before and after taking your ADHD medication.
Further, as with any medication, be aware of any potential interactions between ADHD medications, vitamins, supplements, and food sources.
What do you think? Has Vitamin C neutralized your ADHD medication in the past?
About the Author:
Lindsay is a trauma-informed educator with a Master’s Degree in Teaching. Her mission is to support moms to equip neurodivergent kids (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Anxiety) to thrive as exactly who they’ve been created to be. Wait until you hear the story that led to it all…
This is fascinating! What I’ve learned, I need to space out my morning coffee and my Adderall, and maybe save the Fresca for the evening!