Pseudoephedrine and ADHD

[Tallulah]

I have a bad cold and had to get the "real" Sudafed to help with my sinuses and my symptoms. I am also ADHD and studying for Step 2 CK. And when I took the Sudafed this morning and sat down to study, I noticed that I my change in concentration/thinking etc was the same if not better than when I have had to take Ritalin or Concerta (actually, this has worked way better and I don't get a bad headache). And when I did a google search, it appears that others have noticed this effect too (not too surprising I guess since it's a stimulant). Just thought this was an interesting SE of my cold medicine. Would it be bad if I just took it everyday until my test next week?

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[billypilgrim37]

This issue was dealt with thoroughly in an episode of Glee about two weeks ago (episode 6, I believe). I suggest you take a break from studying and fire up a Hulu account.

 

[whopper]

I wouldn't be surprised if pseudoephedrine did have some ADHD benefit. Its a sympathomimetic. Other medications which work on the adrenergic system such as clonidine and Venlafaxine have some ADHD benefit.

However its not like we have a strong pool of data in this area. Most of the data I see with its benefits are anectdotal.

Should you take it? We can't go there. We can't give you medical advice. The data I gave above was purely within the bounds of a doctor to doctor/medstudent, and not within the context that I am treating you.

That has to be decided by you and your doctor.

Hmm--it does bring up some a good hypothesis for a study.

 

[RGMSU]

I have a bad cold and had to get the "real" Sudafed to help with my sinuses and my symptoms. I am also ADHD and studying for Step 2 CK. And when I took the Sudafed this morning and sat down to study, I noticed that I my change in concentration/thinking etc was the same if not better than when I have had to take Ritalin or Concerta (actually, this has worked way better and I don't get a bad headache). And when I did a google search, it appears that others have noticed this effect too (not too surprising I guess since it's a stimulant). Just thought this was an interesting SE of my cold medicine. Would it be bad if I just took it everyday until my test next week?

This doesn't surprise me at all. Frankly, though, you shouldn't be taking it in place of or in addition to your usual medical regimen. You should only take a drug for what it is indicated for as far as I am concerned. The effect of these drugs for long-term use on the sinuses is well-known as well and contraindicated on the box if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Psychelle]

this issue was dealt with thoroughly in an episode of glee about two weeks ago (episode 6, i believe). I suggest you take a break from studying and fire up a hulu account.

👍

 

[Tallulah]

Thanks for the info. I was being fascitious about actually taking it to study...Sorry, sometimes tone doesn't come across on posts. I definitely don't condone taking OTC meds like that for reasons other than that discussed by your doctor. And I generally don't actually take any medications for my ADHD, even the ones I have. I usually just manage by allowing for lots of breaks.
I did take the advice to get my Internet TV going and watch some good shows though (I am in my rural rotation...and the apartment has no TV...so I've spent all my evenings after work in a bookstore studying...which I'm sure hasn't helped my stress level, hence me getting sick) 🙂
Pseudoephedrine is definitely a good hypothesis to test out though. Especially cause there are lots of anecdotes out there...and apparently a whole episode of Glee about it.

 

[kugel]

And then there's the fact that one of the favorite methods for making Methamphetamine is cooking it from pseudoephedrine. Hence, many states' ban on selling more than a certain # pills to any one person within a specified period of time - and that's why some states have taken it off the OTC shelves and put it behind the pharmacists' counter.

http://www.streetdrugs.org/methlabs.htm

http://designer-drugs.com/pte/12.162.180.114/dcd/chemistry/birch.pseudo.html

Meth makers easily evade pseudoephedrine tracking system:
http://www.ky3.com/news/local/42152887.html

Just FYI

 

[OldPsychDoc]

And then there's the fact that one of the favorite methods for making Methamphetamine is cooking it from pseudoephedrine. Hence, many states' ban on selling more than a certain # pills to any one person within a specified period of time - and that's why some states have taken it off the OTC shelves and put it behind the pharmacists' counter.

http://www.streetdrugs.org/methlabs.htm

http://designer-drugs.com/pte/12.162.180.114/dcd/chemistry/birch.pseudo.html

Meth makers easily evade pseudoephedrine tracking system:
http://www.ky3.com/news/local/42152887.html

Just FYI

I originally supported this (lobbied my state legislator on the issue), but it just meant that all of the meth in town is now imported from Mexico...
and that I have to make a special trip to the pharmacy for my generic Actifed everytime I get a cold or hay fever.

 

[kugel]

I originally supported this (lobbied my state legislator on the issue), but it just meant that all of the meth in town is now imported from Mexico...
and that I have to make a special trip to the pharmacy for my generic Actifed everytime I get a cold or hay fever.

More American jobs lost. It's a shame.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

More American jobs lost. It's a shame.

...but less explosions and burning buildings!

 

[chemist157]

...but less explosions and burning buildings!

There's a push to make it a prescription drug.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125608176468997673.html