What is the best antidepressant to take with Adderall? (3 Common combinations)

In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “What is the best antidepressant to take with Adderall?”. Adderall is an Amphetamine which is used in the treatment and management of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 

Such patients also suffer from depression and anxiety from time to time. Some healthcare providers combine Adderall with one of the safest antidepressants for better ADHD treatment and management. Let’s talk about this in detail. 

What is the best antidepressant to take with Adderall?

The best antidepressant to take with Adderall is difficult to tell as all people react differently to the combination of Adderall and antidepressants. Many such combinations have been tried and tested before. 

Some proved beneficial for a certain number of people but failed to work on others. The combination that worked on other people did not work well for some. This is why it is hard to name the ‘best’ antidepressant to pair with Adderall, but we can talk about a few that can be paired. 

However, there is no way to tell which combination will work best for you. You should consult your healthcare provider for the best possible recommendation. 

Your doctor will prescribe you a combination that will work in the most appropriate way with your condition and your body’s physiology. Some of the common combinations include:

• Adderall and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 
• Adderall and Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) 
• Adderall and Wellbutrin

Adderall and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 

Adderall can be paired with some of the SSRIs. Several studies have suggested that the combination of these two agents can help in the management and treatment of depression in ADHD patients. 

However, these drugs may not work in the exact same way for every other individual. Some people could not tolerate the combination well, and the treatment was not continued simply because of the intolerance. Let’s talk about some of the common combinations of Adderall and SSRIs. 

Adderall + Lexapro (Escitalopram) 

Adderall can be combined with Lexapro. This combination has proven beneficial in some people and has helped them with their conditions. However, it may not work well for everyone, and it has side effects of its own. 

Several surveys suggest that combining Adderall with Lexapro may increase the effect of Adderall, which is an amphetamine. Studies suggest that Lexapro may increase the sensitivity of your body to Adderall and increase some of its side effects like nervousness, jitteriness, restlessness, anxiousness, etc. 

Lexapro is also associated with some side effects. Although the doses of both of these drugs can be adjusted, they can still become intolerable in some people. This is why make sure you only take this combination if recommended by your healthcare provider. 

Adderall + Zoloft (Sertraline) 

Adderall can be combined with Zoloft, but again, the combination may not work very well. The concomitant use of these drugs may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a condition associated with too much serotonergic activity in your body. This usually happens when the doses are way too high and not at all adjusted. This is why a combination treatment should only be used on your doctor’s prescription. Serotonin syndrome can lead to dangerous symptoms, some of which include:

• Excessive sweating 
• Fever with chills
• confusion
• Restlessness and fatigue
• Headache, which often feels like your head is pounding
• Changes in blood pressure and/or temperature
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Bradycardia
• Tremors
• Muscle twitching and muscle pain
• Shivering and goosebumps

These symptoms can become extremely intolerable, and serotonin syndrome can lead to life-threatening complications. 

Adderall + Prozac (Fluoxetine) 

Adderall can also be combined with Prozac. Prozac is also one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and some doctors may pair it with Adderall for the treatment and management of ADHD comorbid with depression. 

However, the treatment is usually initiated from the lowest effective dose. This way, both of the drugs are given at doses lower than their usual doses that are prescribed when these meds are given individually. 

This way, the side effects of both of the meds can be avoided, but Prozac may cause complications in some people. Research suggests that Prozac can enhance the activity of Amphetamines, and even at lower doses, the side effects may become too prominent and difficult to deal with. 

Make sure you only take these two when prescribed by your healthcare provider. 

Adderall and Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) 

Adderall can also be paired with Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), most commonly Effexor (Venlafaxine). The combination can work well when the doses are adjusted. 

However, they are still associated with some interactions and side effects. This is why the risk-benefit ratio of the combination must be considered before taking these two meds together.

Adderall and Wellbutrin (Bupropion) 

Adderall can also be combined with Wellbutrin (Bupropion). However, the dose should be kept really low because of the side effects and interactions that can occur when both of these drugs are consumed at higher doses. 

They both can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, which we have just discussed. This combination has shown some promising results in some case studies, but there is no way to be certain that you or I take to achieve any satisfactory therapeutic outcome while being treated by this combination. 

What are the harmful effects of Adderall? 

Adderall (Amphetamine) is associated with some disturbing harmful effects that can affect some people more severely than others. These side effects can be lethal when higher doses are consumed. Some of these include:

• Loss of appetite followed by weight loss
• Hyperthermia or high body temperature 
• Excessive sweating 
• Flushing
• Loss of memory or dementia
• Inability to think clearly 
• Rush of emotions 
• Cardiological side effects including arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat sometimes extremely fast sometimes faint, high blood pressure and high risks of heart attack
• Gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea followed by GIT hyperactivity 
• Mood-related problems and sudden changes including aggression, anger, violence, depression, sadness, and suicide attempts 
• Tremors
• Restlessness 
• Confusion 
• Insomnia or inability to fall asleep 
• Tooth decay following too much oral administration 
• Skin infections
• Coma
• Death 

Adderall is highly addictive in nature and it can cause a number of disturbing effects. Antidepressants are also not that easy to bear. Experts believe that drugs that can affect your brain and the neurotransmitters can cause a number of different effects in different individuals. 

These effects can take a drastic turn and once you become addicted, it becomes extremely difficult to deal with it. This is why make sure you only take these meds if prescribed by your healthcare provider. 

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed the combination of Adderall and antidepressants. The best antidepressant to take with Adderall is difficult to tell as all people react differently to the combination of Adderall and antidepressants. 

Many such combinations have been tried and tested before. Some proved to be beneficial for a certain number of people but failed to work on others. The combination that worked on other people did not work well for some. 

This is why you should consult your healthcare provider for such matters and always stick to your doctor’s prescription. Take only as much as directed and do not increase the frequency on your own. Misuse of Adderall can lead to addiction which becomes extremely difficult to deal with. 

FAQs:  best antidepressant to take with adderall

Can you take antidepressants while on Adderall?

Yes, you can take antidepressants while on Adderall, but only if prescribed by your healthcare provider. There is no way to tell which antidepressant works best with Adderall, as all people react differently to the combination of Adderall and antidepressants. 

Many such combinations have been tried and tested before. Some proved to be beneficial for a certain number of people but failed to work on others. The combination that worked on other people did not work well for some. This is why you should consult your healthcare provider for such matters and always stick to your doctor’s prescription.

What is the best antidepressant for ADHD?

There are some antidepressants which are proven to be beneficial for the management of symptoms associated with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although antidepressants are not approved for that, some do work. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have shown good results in children and adults, but these meds are associated with some disturbing side effects. Common TCAs are Imipramine, Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, etc. 

Can you take both ADHD medication and antidepressants?

Yes, you can take both ADHD medication and antidepressants together, but only if prescribed by your healthcare provider. Some of the most commonly used antidepressants with ADHD medications include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). However, they are also associated with some side effects and this combination may not work well for every other individual. 

Can Wellbutrin be taken with Adderall?

Yes, Wellbutrin can be taken with Adderall, but only if prescribed by your healthcare provider. However, the dose should be kept really low because of the side effects and interactions that can occur when both of these drugs are consumed at higher doses. They both can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a condition associated with too much serotonergic activity in your body. This usually happens when the doses are way too high and not at all adjusted.

Is it OK to take Prozac and Adderall together?

You can take Prozac and Adderall together if your doctor thinks you can gain any benefit from this combination. This combination has proven to be beneficial in some people and has helped them with their conditions. However, it may not work well for everyone and it has side effects of its own. Several surveys suggest that combining Adderall with Prozac may increase the effect of Adderall, which is an amphetamine.

Is it OK to take Zoloft with Adderall?

Adderall can be combined with Zoloft, but the combination may not work very well. The concomitant use of these drugs may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a condition associated with too much serotonergic activity in your body. This usually happens when the doses are way too high and not at all adjusted. This is why a combination treatment should only be used on your doctor’s prescription.

References 

• What Antidepressant Works Best With Adderall? https://psychologenie.com/what-antidepressant-works-best-with-adderall
• Kim Vo, Patricia J Neafsey, and Carolyn A Lin (2015) – Concurrent use of amphetamine stimulants and antidepressants https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4309786/#__ffn_sectitle 
• Drug Interactions between Adderall and Zoloft https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/adderall-with-zoloft-190-1645-2057-1348.html#:~:text=Combining%20these%20medications%20can%20also,or%20shaking%2C%20blurred%20vision%2C%20muscle
• Drug Interactions between Adderall and Lexapro https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/adderall-with-lexapro-190-1645-1013-565.html#:~:text=Interactions%20between%20your%20drugs&text=Talk%20to%20your%20doctor%20before,racing%20thoughts%20have%20been%20reported.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Nonstimulant Therapy (Strattera) & Other ADHD Drugs https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/12959-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-nonstimulant-therapy-strattera–other-adhd-drugs