Taking ADHD medication safely

Summary: ADHD medication is generally safe and well tolerated, but there are a few important things to be aware of. Certain medications, substances, and lifestyle factors can affect your treatment. Always tell your clinician about anything else you're taking and speak to them if you have any concerns.

Taking ADHD medication alongside other medications

Generally speaking, people rarely have issues taking ADHD medication alongside other treatments. But certain combinations can lead to unwanted side effects. It's important to tell your clinician about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you're taking before starting treatment.

These are the main combinations of medications to avoid:

Methylphenidate – avoid taking with:

Moclobemide or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) – including phenelzine and tranylcypromine. This can dangerously raise blood pressure

Clonidine – can cause serious adverse effects when taken with methylphenidate

Lisdexamfetamine and dexamfetamine – avoid taking with:

Moclobemide or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). This can cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure

Atomoxetine – avoid taking with:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These can dangerously raise blood pressure

Amiodarone, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, disopyramide, diuretics, mefloquine, methadone, moxifloxacin, procainamide, sotalol – these can increase the risk of irregular heartbeats

Guanfacine – avoid taking with:

Blood pressure medications – may cause an excessive drop in blood pressure

Epilepsy medications, including valproic acid

Sedatives, including benzodiazepines and barbiturates

Antipsychotics

Enzyme inhibitors, including azoles (e.g. ketoconazole, fluconazole), certain antibiotics, cimetidine, omeprazole, and grapefruit juice

Enzyme inducers, including anticonvulsants (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine), steroids, rifampicin, nicotine, alcohol, and St John's Wort

If you notice any new or unusual symptoms after starting a new medication, please stop taking it and contact your clinician or GP about any serious issues. In an emergency, call 999.

For detailed information on specific medication interactions, visit the British National Formulary (BNF). You should also read about serotonin syndrome – a rare but serious condition that can occur when ADHD medication is combined with other medications.

Alcohol and recreational drugs

We'd strongly advise you not to drink alcohol while taking ADHD medication. Combining them can lead to serious health risks, including:

Cardiovascular strain

Together they can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of irregular heartbeat.

Reduced cognitive function

Alcohol can reduce blood flow to the brain, affecting your concentration and cancelling out your medication.

Increased risk of overdose

Alcohol can mask the effects of stimulant medication, leading to unintentional overuse.

Impacts on mood and behaviour

It can also increase anxiety and affect your mood.

If you have questions or concerns about alcohol and your medication, please speak to your clinician.

Recreational drug use isn’t compatible with safe ADHD prescribing. It can lead to dangerous side effects or reduce the effectiveness of your medication. Please talk to your clinician about any recreational drug use so they can make sure you’re safe and have the information you need.

Driving

It's generally safe to drive while on ADHD medication – as long as your medication doesn't impair your ability to concentrate or cause side effects like drowsiness. If you experience any side effects that affect your ability to drive safely, you shouldn’t drive and should speak to your clinician or GP. For more information, visit the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

For your safety and that of your baby, we can’t provide ADHD medication treatment during your pregnancy. We’ll be happy to carry on with your treatment after you have given birth.

If you’ve already started treatment, please discuss your medication with your clinician as soon as possible. Some ADHD medications aren’t recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and your clinician will work with you to find the best next steps.

If you'd like to discuss your options, you can book an ad hoc medication review – to do this please get in touch with your clinician or call us on 020 4525 0709.

Taking medication overseas

You can take your ADHD medication overseas, but it's important to check the legal status of your medication in the country you're visiting before you travel. Some countries don't let you import ADHD medications. Always carry your prescription with you.

Travel letters

If you’re travelling abroad for longer than a month, and need a longer prescription, we may need to request proof of travel from you. This costs £20, and we’ll need to receive payment before we can send your travel letter. You can pay for this here.

Please give 7-10 days’ notice for travel letters. We unfortunately can’t guarantee that you’ll receive your letter in time if payment is made beyond this time frame.

Dietary considerations

Some ADHD medications contain gelatin – for example, in the hard shell encapsulating the medication. This may not be suitable for vegans, or for those whose dietary or religious requirements prohibit gelatin.

If this applies to you, please let your clinician know at your first titration appointment so they can take this into account when prescribing.

FAQs

Can I drink alcohol while taking ADHD medication?

It's strongly advised not to. Alcohol can interact with ADHD medication in ways that are harmful to your heart, cognitive function, and mental health. If you have concerns, speak to your clinician.

Can I take my medication abroad?

Yes, but check the legal status of your medication in your destination country before you travel. We can provide a travel letter for £20 – you can request this here.

What if I'm taking other medications?

Tell your clinician about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you're taking. Some combinations can cause serious interactions – see the full list above, or visit the BNF for detailed information.