ADHD medications and alcohol interaction

Examples: Amphetamine (Adzenys, Evekeo), Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine (Adderall), Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat, ProCentra, Zenzedi), Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin, Focalin XR), Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), Methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Methylin, Methylin ER, Ritalin, Ritalin SR, Ritalin LA, Quillivant XR)

Non-stimulants: Atomoxetine (Strattera), Clonidine, Guanfacine (Intuniv)

What happens when you take medicine after alcohol?

Medications and alcohol can react in many ways. For example, medications can increase effect of alcohol. When that happens, you can feel drunk faster. Or you can feel drunk even after drinking less alcohol. Or your hangover can stay longer. Alcohol can also increase blood levels of medications. More medicine in your blood means you can get more side effects. Read more about how alcohol reacts with medications

Can ADHD medications increase or decrease blood levels of alcohol?

We don't know if ADHD medications increase or decrease blood levels of alcohol. But it is possible that you might become more sensitive to alcohol. That means if you are taking ADHD medications, you might feel drunk faster. Or you might have a hangover (headache, nausea, vomiting, feeling tired).

Can alcohol increase or decrease blood levels of ADHD medications?

Alcohol can increase blood levels of methylphenidate (active ingredient in Ritalin, Concerta, Daytrana). We don't know if alcohol can increase or decrease blood levels of other ADHD medications.

Can alcohol and ADHD medications react in other ways?

Yes. Alcohol can react with ADHD medications in many other ways. You might not get these reactions but be aware these can happen.

First off, if you have ADHD, you might feel moody and impulsive. So you might end up drinking too much. The more you drink, more is risk of harmful effects.

If you are taking ADHD medications, you might become more sensitive to alcohol. You might feel drunk faster. Or you might have a hangover (headache, nausea, vomiting, feeling tired).

Alcohol can increase the effect of some ADHD medications. For example, alcohol can increase blood levels of methylphenidate. That means if you drink with methylphenidate, you can have more side effects from this medicine.

ADHD medications can cause irregular heartbeat (palpitation, fast heartbeat). Alcohol also can cause irregular heartbeat. Taking them together can give you irregular heartbeat. People with irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) need to be very careful.

ADHD medications can cause seizures. Too much alcohol also can also cause seizures. Taking them together can give you seizures. Even if you never had seizures, you have a risk. Do not drink too much if you are taking ADHD medications. People with seizures need to be very careful.

Oral ADHD medications (tablets and capsules) can irritate your esophagus and stomach. Alcohol can also can irritate your esophagus and stomach. Taking them together can add up. You might feel heartburn and tummy pain. People with heartburn, GERD, stomach acidity, ulcers need to be very careful. Fried and spicy food with alcohol can make heartburn worse

ADHD medications such as Adderall increase your energy level. So you might not feel drunk after drinking alcohol. You might think it is a good thing. But this can be dangerous. Your body might want to tell you have had too much to drink. But your mind might not feel that way. So you might drink too much. Too much alcohol can be dangerous. You have risk of seizures, passing out, irregular heartbeat.

Some ADHD medications can hurt your liver. Alcohol also can hurt your liver. Taking them together regularly can give you serious liver problems. This might not be an issue if you drink once in a while. But if you keep taking ADHD medications and keep drinking for many months or years, you can hurt your liver

Strattera (atomoxetine) and clonidine can lower your blood pressure. Alcohol can also lower your blood pressure. Taking them together can lower your blood pressure too much. When your blood pressure is low, you can feel dizzy, nauseous, lightheaded, weak, tired, sleepy, groggy. You can fall or faint.

Special precautions

Are you planning to take ADHD medication because you want to drink a lot today? Did someone tell you to take ADHD pill before your party? You might think ADHD medications and alcohol cancel each other out. That is not correct. Alcohol and ADHD medications do not cancel each other out. You can get serious side effects. Read more

The risk of serious reaction can be even higher on days when you are tired, dehydrated, had a long day at work, didn't have enough sleep (read more about dangerous situations to avoid).

Did you just start taking ADHD medications? Or did the doctor just change your dose? Your body still might be adjusting to the medication. Avoid alcohol till you know how the medication is affecting you.

Frequent questions

Do alcohol and ADHD medications cancel out each other?

No. This is not correct. Alcohol and ADHD medications do not cancel each other. You can get serious side effects. Read more

My friend said take ADHD medications before party. So I won't feel drunk. Is that okay?

This is not correct. It can be dangerous. Medications such as Adderall increase your energy level. You might not feel drunk. You might think it is a good thing. But this can be dangerous. Your body might want to tell you have drunk too much. But your mind might not feel that way. So you might drink too much. Too much alcohol can be dangerous. You have risk of seizures, passing out, irregular heartbeat. Read more

Can alcohol make ADHD medications ineffective?

No. Alcohol does not make ADHD medications ineffective

Can alcohol make ADHD medications toxic?

No. Alcohol does not make ADHD medications toxic

I want to drink a lot of alcohol. Can I skip my ADHD medication today?

Remember: Skipping your medication does not mean the effect of the medication is gone. Your body gets rid of medications slowly. If you have been regularly taking a med and if you stop for one day, little bit of medication remains in your system. So even if you did not take your medication today, little bit of medication might still be in your system (or the effect of the medication might still be there). You can get a serious reaction with alcohol. Do not skip your medications and do not drink too much. Read more why skipping medications is a bad idea.

I have been drinking for several months (or years). My doctor just prescribed ADHD medication. What precautions I should take?

Tell your doctor about your drinking. Regular use of alcohol affects many body functions. For example, if you have been drinking for several years, your liver might have become weaker. That means your liver might not be able to metabolize (get rid of) ADHD medications. Your doctor can test your liver. Then your doctor can choose the best ADHD medication for you. Or your doctor might give you a lower dose of ADHD medication.

What scientists are saying about how stopping alcohol can help ADHD

Page last updated: 24-August-2019