I see posts on this forum from people who were taking Zoloft or similar, were switched to Adderall and became ill. I must tell you that this combo is a bit scary. MAOI is not the only med which, when taken with Amphetamine, raises red flags, because Amphetamine is a form of MAOI. Low-dose Adderall (10-20 mg tablet 1 x per day) and lowest 'effective' dose of Zoloft (50 mg) are unlikely to result in catastrophic events... although I'd keep some Valium around, just in case. In the Adderall posts, I found an entry by someone who seemed to exhibit symptoms of serotonin overload or withdrawal symptoms and possibly a combination. All the people taking the psychostimulants know to keep away from Robitussin DM and other DMX? You can have DMX *alone*, but I wouldnt be mixing it with either of the aforementioned. Is this a useful question?
Are we aware of the risks of Adderall with SSRI, SSNRI, DMX?
Question posted by 5yroldmind on 14 Sep 2010
Last updated on 13 February 2019
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3 Answers
Serotonin syndrome is extremely uncommon. This is just putting an unnecessary scare on some people. Adderall/other psychostimulants are very commonly prescribed with SSRIs. DMX, tramadol, and maybe some other specifically serotonergic drugs do have an adverse reaction with ssris and should be used with caution. Adderall, ritalin, vyvanse, etc are much less of a worry, and do not necessarily need to be approached with as much caution. That being said, obviously don't take too much of either, or else a problem will occur, SS or not.
I have narcolepsy and i take Xyrem, 60mg prozac and 20mg twice a day adderall. this doesnt seem to be a good combination. what symptoms are exhibited from a serotonin overload? my doctor and my nurse with the Xyrem both keep telling me that this combination isn't anything to worry about. But I don't feel like this is the way i want to feel for the rest of my life. the only positive i've gotten is not sleeping all day everyday. help!!
You can do a simple Google search to find info on serotonin syndrome. For me personally I got shaky, anxious, and could feel my heart beating. Also if I did something like waking up the stairs my eyes would get dark spots and I'd feel dizzy and a little out of breath. I think for me I just needed time to adjust. If symptoms like these or similar continue for longer than a typical adjustment period (1-2 weeks) then talk to your Dr. and make sure they do something.
You can do a simple Google search to find info on serotonin syndrome. For me personally I got shaky, anxious, and could feel my heart beating. Also if I did something like waking up the stairs my eyes would get dark spots and I'd feel dizzy and a little out of breath. I think for me I just needed time to adjust. If symptoms like these or similar continue for longer than a typical adjustment period (1-2 weeks) then talk to your Dr. and make sure they do something.
Well if you are not having any notable or serious side effects you’re good. Sodium Oxybate which gets metabolized into GHB does not seem to cause serotonin toxicity when mixed with other substances which affect serotonin by increasing its concentration. Adderall and SSRIs are not going to always cause serotonin toxicity, it does increase the risk of serotonin toxicity. Adderall also doesn't have a strong affinity towards serotonin receptors, it is more of a mild effect of adderall. MDMA which is an amphetamine based compound does have a lot of activity at serotonin receptors this caused by increasing the release serotonin. Anyways I am sure you probably won’t have serotonin toxicity, try to stay away from any other substances since you are taking three drugs. Also I have taken Adderall and Fluvoxamine before without having serotonin toxicity. I hope you are doing good and I hope this helps.
yes, it is! My sister had a bad reaction with her Adderall and SSRI medication, I think it was ¿Celexa? Anyways, ya, Adderall affects the seratonin in a very indirect sort of way and can cause seritonin syndrome. Also, if you're depressed, and also need a stimulant, often times it's a misdiagnosis for bipolar depression vs. unipolar depression.
jk13, I learn something new from you everyday. Keep the info coming, much appreciated. As to the question, yes, even though I didn't quite understand some of it.
Thanks! I find medications, interactions, the affects that they have on the brain, and all of the mechanics of it extremely interesting! That's the only reason why I know about this stuff... along with theoretical quantum mechanics. I love reading about these topics, although, I would never claim to have the expertise in these fields as does someone who went to school to study the subjects.
As a result, I decided to put my efforts into something that I know inside and out, and am in the process of writing a book on the mechanics of design, breaking it down into an understandable conceptual based book, as to what good design is vs. something that is poorly designed, and why. I work as an industrial designer designing teapots, lanterns and home decor, and design is not art, but is a combo of aesthetics and function (all types of design), not aesthetics and statement (like it is in art). I guess that you could say that as an overall, I'm just a big dork!
I've been surprised that there are sooooo few designers out there who don't have a clue as to what they're doing, but go on emotions and feelings, not the most professional approach, and also don't know how to go about discussing their designs, and as a result, it's just taken personally. I hope that this will help college students out in understanding what it is that they're doing, why one solution works, while the other doesn't.
Also... I never got a degree other than a high school diploma - and never lied on my resume :)
Related topics
adderall, zoloft, depression, narcolepsy, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd), anxiety and stress
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