I have a question related to the type of Medication that I am on?I have taken Lexapro for several years, it seems to help my anxiety, I also suffer from depression, and concentrating and focusing, I have been seeing the same doctor for almost six years, and recently, we discussed my concern of going back to work, and having a problem with concentrating, he has put me on Adderall 30 mg. my Lexapro is also 30 mg. My family is very concerned and now I am, I am going through Menopause, so I attributed my Mood Swings to that, I am taking hormone medication for that, I am impulsive, shopping, and angry all the time... Help... I don't want to put my Family through this cycle of Tyrant Mood swings anymore... Does anyone have any information regarding the SSRI medication (Lexapro) and Amphetamine (Adderall) taking both of them at the same time?
Anyone know about taking Lexapro (SSRI ) and Adderall (amphetamine) together?
Question posted by Anonymous on 12 Aug 2010
Last updated on 14 March 2019
8 Answers
I am drug expert, really a jack of all trades. For one thing lexapro has a maximum dosage of 20mg. It has never been FDA approved for any dosage higher than that, so lower that. Certain drugs like lexapro inhibit enzymes that effect the way other drugs metabolize. Lexapro and amphetamines will both interact, and also have enzyme inhibition making the other stronger, lead to more possible side effects. Then you say you are on hormone medication , can you elaborate? Very important for someone to understand all possible interactions.
Peace and Love
Discuss this with your doctor. Antidepressants can provoke episodes of hypomania/mania in some people. A mood stabilizer such as lithium or Lamictal may be in order instead.
I have been taking Lexapro about five years, 20 mg. And have never felt any help from it. And it’s one of probably 10 different medications I’ve tried over the years for depression and anxiety. I also take 15 mg of Adderall x2 daily. I’ve only been taking the Adderall about six months, I have not noticed any difference with anything. My address it has never helped me so it certainly is not interfering with that. So I am good I know a lot of the information says you should not take both of them together I’m wondering if that refers to perhaps really high doses and of course everyone is different.
I have been take Lexapro for 10+ years starting from 5mg to 30mg now for my depression. Only brand name Lexapro works for me and it is not covered by my insurance. In the past few months, I am feeling anxious and lack of energy. Seeing a new doctor and was told that Adderall and lexapro is very common "combo", and let me try Adderall 5mg. So I took Adderall 5mg last week and I do feel more energy. I was even able to tape off Lexapro to 25mg now. Will see how it works together in the coming days.
Coming back to update. With Adderall 5mg per day, I was able to tape off Lexapro to 10mg and even generic Lexapro works for me. I felt great, with much better energy and even work out from time to time.
Meanwhile, my genes test result came out, it shows Lexapro is not the best medicine for me. My doctor suggested I switch to Pristiq, which is SNRI instead of a SSRI. Also, the test showed dextroamphetamine is better than Adderall for me. So now I am on Pristiq 50mg per day and dextroamphetamine 5mg per day. During the switch period, which is about two weeks when I am tapering off Lexapro to 0, I got muscle stiffness and my fibromyogia came back. Now it is under control. Genes test is a new technology. I don't know how accurate it is, but it gave me confidence to change/switch med, otherwise, I would be OK on Lexapro/Adderall.
Together they can cause upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea and symptoms of IBS.
I just saw this post and decided to add my 2 cents worth even though it's been 8 months since you posted. I have also been on SSRIs for many years, about 20 years, for depression. I've taken Lexapro now for about 5 years. I had testing for ADHD about 5 years ago, also, and now have been taking Adderall as well for about 5 years. Started out on 20? mg XR and uped it to 30 but was too jittery on that. I've been taking a split dose of 15mg of short-acting Adderall now for a few years, and that seems to work fine. No jitteriness as long as I don't drink coffee (switched to decaf). I have no problems with the combo of Lexapro and Adderall. They seem to balance each other because the Lexapro made me kind of sleepy and lethargic (I thought), and the Adderall makes me want to do things and gives me some drive. The Adderall can make you feel impatient, bitchy, etc., and the Lexapro will counteract that, I think.
I think the jitteriness with Adderall will go away with the right dose and time for the body to get used to it. There is Vyvanse also which is smoother, not so many peaks and valleys. I didn't like this one as well as Adderall. Makes me feel dull. For hormone problems there is a good web site, womentowomen.com which could help you understand and deal with those problems. Their approach is more holistic health, vitamins, etc. Hope you're doing well. Good luck.
I too have severe mood swings where I will shop until I am bouncing checks and then totally enjoy the items. When I realize what I did, I am furious for my my family for not stopping me from making this mess. But we must realize it is not there fault or responsibility. I take antidepressents and adderall together. I dont take the extended release adderall due to sleeping problems. I take 20mg in am and 20mg about 2pm. I really helps keeping me focused on the tasks at hand and if I am busy and staying on task I swing less. Good Luck
Hi it is dangerous,
Interactions between your selected drugs
amphetamine ↔ escitalopram
Applies to: Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), Lexapro (escitalopram)
GENERALLY AVOID: Several case reports suggest that serotonin reuptake inhibitors may potentiate the pharmacologic response to sympathomimetic agents. The exact mechanism of interaction is unclear. In one case report, a patient experienced jitteriness, racing thoughts, stomach cramps, dry eyes, palpitations, tremors, and restlessness following a single dose of phentermine ingested approximately a week after she had discontinued fluoxetine. Because of the long half-life of fluoxetine and its metabolite, an interaction with fluoxetine is possible. Similar toxic reactions have been reported when fluoxetine was used concomitantly with amphetamine or phenylpropanolamine.
Additionally, some sympathomimetic agents such as amphetamines may possess serotonergic activity and should generally not be administered with serotonin reuptake inhibitors because of the additive risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A and 2A receptors. The interaction was suspected in a patient treated with dexamphetamine who developed symptoms consistent with the serotonin syndrome approximately 2 weeks after the addition of venlafaxine. The medications were discontinued and the patient was given cyproheptadine for suspected serotonin syndrome, whereupon symptoms promptly resolved. A second episode occurred when dexamphetamine was subsequently resumed and citalopram added. The patient improved following cessation of citalopram on his own, and residual symptoms were successfully treated with cyproheptadine.
MANAGEMENT: In general, amphetamines and other sympathomimetic appetite suppressants should not be combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Close monitoring for enhanced sympathomimetic effects and possible serotonin syndrome is recommended if these agents must be used together. Symptoms of the serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes such as irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, hallucinations, and coma; autonomic dysfunction such as tachycardia, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, blood pressure lability, and mydriasis; neuromuscular abnormalities such as hyperreflexia, myoclonus, tremor, rigidity, and ataxia; and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
dextroamphetamine ↔ escitalopram
Applies to: Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), Lexapro (escitalopram)
GENERALLY AVOID: Several case reports suggest that serotonin reuptake inhibitors may potentiate the pharmacologic response to sympathomimetic agents. The exact mechanism of interaction is unclear. In one case report, a patient experienced jitteriness, racing thoughts, stomach cramps, dry eyes, palpitations, tremors, and restlessness following a single dose of phentermine ingested approximately a week after she had discontinued fluoxetine. Because of the long half-life of fluoxetine and its metabolite, an interaction with fluoxetine is possible. Similar toxic reactions have been reported when fluoxetine was used concomitantly with amphetamine or phenylpropanolamine. Additionally, some sympathomimetic agents such as amphetamines may possess serotonergic activity and should generally not be administered with serotonin reuptake inhibitors because of the additive risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A and 2A receptors. The interaction was suspected in a patient treated with dexamphetamine who developed symptoms consistent with the serotonin syndrome approximately 2 weeks after the addition of venlafaxine. The medications were discontinued and the patient was given cyproheptadine for suspected serotonin syndrome, whereupon symptoms promptly resolved. A second episode occurred when dexamphetamine was subsequently resumed and citalopram added. The patient improved following cessation of citalopram on his own, and residual symptoms were successfully treated with cyproheptadine.
MANAGEMENT: In general, amphetamines and other sympathomimetic appetite suppressants should not be combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Close monitoring for enhanced sympathomimetic effects and possible serotonin syndrome is recommended if these agents must be used together. Symptoms of the serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes such as irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, hallucinations, and coma; autonomic dysfunction such as tachycardia, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, blood pressure lability, and mydriasis; neuromuscular abnormalities such as hyperreflexia, myoclonus, tremor, rigidity, and ataxia; and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Read more: https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=190-1645,1013-565#ixzz0wM3bgKjH
Related topics
lexapro, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
