Prozac and Adderall are both wildly popular medications in the United States, with medical providers issuing 25,619,277 prescriptions for fluoxetine hydrochloride and 25,331,775 prescriptions for Adderall in 2017.
Prozac and Adderall Interactions â Can You Take Adderall and Prozac Together?
In order to answer this question, it pays to know a little more about these medications.
What is Prozac?
Prozac is the trade name of the drug fluoxetine hydrochloride. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which means it primarily works by inhibiting the reabsorption of the “feel-good chemical” serotonin; research links lower serotonin levels to depressed mood.
What Does It Treat?
The FDA has approved the use of Prozac for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa (bulimia), and panic disorder. It may be used along with the drug olanzapine for the treatment of bipolar I depressive episodes and treatment-resistant depression.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a mixture of four amphetamine salts: amphetamine aspartate monohydrate, amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, and dextroamphetamine sulfate. Classified as a stimulant, experts believe that Adderall inhibits the reabsorption of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. Importantly, the reuptake inhibition of these neurotransmitters is believed to stimulate the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in elevated mood and focus and decreased lethargy.
What Does It Treat?
The FDA indicates Adderall for the treatment of both attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.
Can You Take Prozac and Adderall Together?
Yes, but with caveats.
Firstly, people should only take these two medications together under the guidance of a licensed medical provider, and patients should only take these medications as prescribed. Secondly, patients should alert their medical provider if they notice any symptoms of serotonin syndrome (SS). SS is a potentially life-threatening condition in which serotonin floods the CNS.
Symptoms of SS include:
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Diarrhea
- Excessive sweating
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Muscle incoordination
- Pupil dilation
- Rigid muscles
- Tachycardia (fast heartbeat)
Anyone who suspects they have serotonin syndrome should seek emergency medical attention right away.
Medical providers may prescribe ADHD and Prozac together for treatment of ADHD, although the patient requires close monitoring for signs of SS. If SS is suspected, discontinued use of one or both drugs is recommended.
FAQ
Can you take Adderall while on antidepressants?
Patients can take Adderall while on antidepressants like fluoxetine, but should only do so under the direct supervision of their medical provider. Concomitant (at-the-same-time) use of these drugs increases SS risk.
What ADHD medication can be taken with Prozac?
Patients may take Adderall with Prozac if their medical provider deems the potential benefits to outweigh the potential risks. However, concomitant use should be discontinued if the patient shows signs of SS.
What drugs should you not take with Prozac?
According to the FDA, the following should not use fluoxetine:
- Patients who are currently taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or have taken MAOIs within 14 days (2 weeks) of starting Prozac
- People undergoing treatment with either linezolid (Zyvox) or intravenous (IV) methylene blue (ProvayBlue)
- Patients taking pimozide (Orap)
- Patients taking thioridazine
Does Prozac have a stimulant effect?
Experts have documented stimulant-like effects from fluoxetine use.
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.
