Is It the Vitamin C? — ADD Tip o the Day 387

Bonnie Mincu points us to some new information, new to me, about the stimulants (Ritalin, ADDerall, etc) for ADD or ADHD.  Turns out that vitamin C, or orange juice, will make the medicines less effective.  It will be OK if you take them a few hours apart.  Bonnie talks of starting to take Vitamin C daily, and later noticing that her meds weren’t working as well, without guessing the connection.

I assume that grapefruit juice would have the same effect?  It interferes with the metabolism of a number of medicines, especially the antidepressants.  And what about eating citrus fruit?  One patient has told me it matters.

While we’re on the subject, several patients have noticed that some of the generic forms of Ritalin from different companies have significantly different effectiveness.  The pharmacies often shift the meds around depending on availability and pricing, so you want to pay attention to exactly what you’re getting.

Which is a good idea anyway, since doctors and pharmacists do make errors.

doug

Stay healthy!

from bonnie  clik

Dr. Hallowell on ritalin  clik