Taking ADHD medication safely

Summary: ADHD medication is generally safe and works well for most children. As with all medications, there are potential side effects to look out for. Certain medications, substances, and everyday habits can affect your child’s treatment. Always tell your child’s clinician about anything else they’re taking and speak to them if you have any concerns.

• Taking ADHD medication alongside other medications

• Young people: medication and driving (aged 17-18)

• Young people: taking medication with alcohol or recreational drugs

• Young people: medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding

• Taking medication overseas

• Dietary considerations

• FAQs 

This article only applies to children diagnosed with ADHD, or ADHD together with other conditions like autism – where treatment is often different. 

Most children have no problems taking ADHD medication with other treatments. But some combinations can cause unwanted side effects, interactions or affect how well the medication works. It's important to tell your child's clinician about every medicine, herbal supplement, and over-the-counter drug your child is taking before treatment starts. 

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 side effects when taken with methylphenidate 

Lisdexamfetamine and dexamfetamine – avoid taking with: 

• Moclobemide or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). This can dangerously raise 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 raise the risk of an irregular heartbeat  

Guanfacine – avoid taking with: 

• Blood pressure medications – may cause blood pressure to drop too low

• 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 

This list does not include every possible interaction. Always check with your child's clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any medicine while your child is taking ADHD medication. 
 
If you or your child notices any new or unusual symptoms after starting a new medication, please stop giving it to them and contact their clinician or GP about any serious issues. In an emergency, call 999. 

For more on how medicines interact, visit the British National Formulary (BNF). It's also worth reading about serotonin syndrome. This is a rare but serious reaction that can happen when ADHD medication mixes with other medicines. 

It's generally safe for a young person (aged 17-18) to drive while on ADHD medication, as long as it doesn't affect their concentration or cause side effects like drowsiness. If your child has side effects that affect their ability to drive safely, they shouldn't drive. They should speak to their clinician or GP instead.  

For more information, visit the DVLA website. 

Some teenagers may encounter alcohol or recreational drugs as they get older. It's worth knowing the risks these can pose alongside ADHD medication, so you can talk to your child about them. We strongly advise against drinking alcohol while taking ADHD medication. Mixing them can lead to serious health risks, including: 

• Strain on the heart 
  Together, alcohol and ADHD medication can raise blood pressure and the risk of an irregular heartbeat. 

• Reduced cognitive function  
  Alcohol can reduce blood flow to the brain, affecting your concentration and cancelling out the medication’s benefits. 

• Higher risk of overdose  
  Alcohol can hide the effects of stimulant medication, so it's easier to take too much by accident. 

• Effects on mood and behaviour 
  It can also increase anxiety and affect how your child feels. 

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

Taking recreational drugs isn't safe alongside ADHD medication. It can cause dangerous side effects, or make the medication less effective. If you know or suspect your child is using recreational drugs, please talk to their clinician. They can make sure your child stays safe and has the information they need. 

This section is for teenagers who may be pregnant or breastfeeding. For their safety and their baby's safety, we can't provide ADHD medication during pregnancy. We'll be happy to carry on with treatment after the baby is born. 

If treatment has already started, we'd encourage them to speak to their clinician about their medication as soon as possible. Some ADHD medications aren't recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Their clinician will work with them to find the best next steps. 

If they'd like to discuss their options, they can book an ad hoc medication review. To arrange this, get in touch with their clinician or call us on 020 4525 0709. 

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

Travel letters 

If your child is travelling abroad for longer than a month, and needs a longer prescription, we may need to request proof of travel from you. This costs £20, and we'll need to get payment before we can send your child's travel letter.

Please give 7-10 days’ notice for travel letters. We can't guarantee your letter will arrive in time if payment is made after this. 

Some ADHD medications contain gelatin – for example, in the hard outer coating. This may not be suitable if your child is vegan, or if their diet or religion doesn't allow gelatin.

If this applies to your child, let their clinician know at their first titration appointment. The clinician can then take this into account when prescribing. 

Can my child take their medication abroad? 
Yes, but check the legal status of the medication in your destination country before you travel. We can provide a travel letter for £20.

What if my child is taking other medications? 
Tell your child's clinician about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs your child is taking. Some combinations can cause serious interactions – see the full list above, or visit the BNF to find out more.