From the Guidelines
Adderall can be taken with or without food, but taking it with food is often recommended to reduce gastrointestinal side effects. When considering the administration of Adderall, it's essential to weigh the potential benefits of taking it with food against the possible delay in absorption caused by high-fat meals 1. The practice parameter for the use of stimulant medications suggests that doses should be started on a 2 or 3 times daily basis, and the maximum total daily doses should be calculated by adding together all doses taken during a given day 1.
Key Considerations
- Taking Adderall with food may help reduce stomach upset and other gastrointestinal side effects, which is a common concern in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 1.
- High-fat meals may delay the absorption of the medication, potentially affecting its effectiveness, so it's crucial to consider the type of food consumed with Adderall 1.
- The effects of immediate-release Adderall typically last 4-6 hours, while Adderall XR (extended-release) lasts about 12 hours, which may influence the decision on whether to take it with food or not.
- If appetite suppression is a concern, taking Adderall with breakfast may help ensure adequate nutrition before the appetite-reducing effects begin, as suggested by the practice parameter for the use of stimulant medications 1.
Recommendations
- Always follow your doctor's specific instructions regarding timing and food, as individual recommendations may vary based on your medical history, dose, and treatment goals 1.
- If you experience persistent side effects or have concerns about how food affects your medication, consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice, which is in line with the practice parameter for the use of stimulant medications 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
In 12 healthy subjects, the rate and extent of dextroamphetamine absorption were similar following administration of the sustained-release capsule formulation in the fed (58 to 75 gm fat) and fasted state.
The answer to whether you take Adderall with food is that food does not affect the absorption of the medication, according to the study 2. You can take Adderall with or without food.
From the Research
Administration of Adderall with Food
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest whether Adderall should be taken with food or not 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- However, a study on the clinical pharmacokinetics of amphetamines utilized in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder suggests that oral amphetamine is rapidly absorbed, with high absolute bioavailability, followed by extensive metabolism involving multiple enzymes 4.
- Another study on the pH-dependent efflux of methamphetamine derivatives found that creating a pH 6.0/7.4 gradient showed a marked increase in basolateral to apical transport of all amphetamines tested, and that the use of stomach acid lowering drugs could result in more rapid systemic uptake of these amphetamine derivatives 6.
- It can be inferred that taking Adderall with food may affect its absorption, but the exact effect is not specified in the provided studies.
Potential Interactions with Food
- A study on bupropion, dextroamphetamine, and placebo in mixed-substance abusers found that bupropion had no peripheral sympathomimetic effects and did not reduce appetite or caloric intake, whereas amphetamine had a significant effect on appetite and caloric intake 5.
- This suggests that food intake may interact with the effects of amphetamines, but the exact nature of this interaction is not clear from the provided studies.